HC Deb 22 May 1924 vol 173 cc2425-6W
Mr. HOBHOUSE

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he can give the total number of persons farming land in England and Wales whose holdings exceed 50 acres in extent, and the total acreage farmed by them; the total number whose holdings are under 50 acres and the total acreage farmed by them; the total number of owner-occupiers; and the total acreage of agricultural land occupied by them?

Mr. BUXTON

The number of agricultural holdings in England and Wales in 1923 exceeding 50 acres in extent was 141,085, and the number above one acre and not exceeding 50 acres was 270,588. The total area of land in these two groups was not ascertained in 1923, but in 1919, the number of holdings not exceeding 50 acres in extent was 272,368 of a total acreage of 4,150,813 acres and the number of holdings above 50 acres was 144,100 of a total acreage of 22,597,140 acres. The number of agricultural holdings returned as owned or mainly owned by the occupiers in England and Wales in 1923 was 87,900, and the area of land returned as owned by occupiers was 6,273,000 acres.