HC Deb 22 November 1948 vol 458 c90W
47. Mr. Stokes

asked the Minister of Agriculture how many smallholdings were established in the county of Bedfordshire in the past 30 years; what expenditure was incurred in purchasing the land, apart from expenditure on equipment; and what was the area and price of the land and the cost of equipment in each case.

Mr. G. Brown

Eight hundred and eighty-one of the Bedfordshire County Council's smallholdings were established during the last 30 years. Four thousand eight hundred and ninety-five acres were purchased at an approximate cost of £230,000 or £47 per acre and the remaining 2,448 acres were purchased by annuities or are held on lease. The provision of the additional detailed information asked for would involve work which in present circumstances I do not consider would be justified.