HC Deb 21 November 1951 vol 494 cc61-2W
Mr. Peter Freeman

asked the Minister of Agriculture what is the total area in square miles of Great Britain; what is the area now under cultivation, respectively, for pasturage and for crops, vegetables, cereals and fruit; what is the area of urban development; and what other area cannot be used for the cultivation of food.

Sir T. Dugdale

The total area of Great Britain and the area under cultivation are given below. There are no figures available to show how much of the area unaccounted for in the table is taken up by urban development or other uses and how much is waste.

1951 (a)
Acres Square Miles
Total area (including water) 56,802,324 88,754
Total area of water 601,921 941
Total area (excluding water) 56,200,403 87,813
Permanent grass 11,975,906 18,712
Temporary grass 5,182,363 8,097
Total (17,158,269) (26,810)
Vegetables (excluding potatoes) 417,491 652
Fruit 321,287 502
Cereals 7,470,529 11,673
Other crops 3,482,430 5,441
Total crops and grass 28,850,006 45,078
Rough grazings 16,350,380 25,547
TOTAL 45,200,386 70,626
(a) Provisional.