§ 60. Mr. Langford-Holtasked the Minister of Agriculture how many acres of land classed as agricultural land have been lost to agriculture during the last 12 months.
§ Sir T. DugdaleDuring the 12 months ended 4th June, 1952, the total area of crops and grass, and rough grazings in sole occupation, in England and Wales, decreased by some 22,000 acres.
§ 71. Brigadier Medlicottasked the Minister of Agriculture how many acres of agricultural land have been taken for purposes other than the production of food during each of the last six years.
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§ Sir T. DugdaleThe figures for net losses of agricultural land in England and Wales for each of the six years up to June, 1952, are given below. These figures are derived from the Annual Returns rendered by farmers and are subject to a certain degree of error.
NET CHANGES IN AGRICULTURAL AREA IN ENGLAND AND WALES, JUNE, 1946 TO JUNE, 1952 — Net losses or gains in the area of crops and grass and rough grazings in sole occupation Acres June, 1946-June, 1947 -11,414 June, 1947-June, 1948 +30,992 June, 1948-June, 1949 -79,937 June, 1949-June, 1950 + 3,046 June, 1950-June, 1951 - 9,469 June, 1951-June, 1952 -22,350 -89,132 NOTES:— 1. These figures are derived from the returns made by farmers each June. 2. In this six-year period a substantial area wag released by the Service Departments for agricultural use. 3. In 1948-49, 55,000 acres represents the correction of previous figures. 4. Over the six years the area recorded as rough grazings in common occupation (not included in the Table) increased by 73 000 acres.