§ Sir A. Hurdasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the total area of agricultural land under the control of the Agricultural Land Commission on 31st March, 1955, and at the latest convenient date; what progress has been made in selling agricultural land controlled by the Commission; the total acreage of land now approved for disposal; the acreage of which the sale has been completed; of how many acres the sale has been agreed but not yet completed; the balance of land cleared for sale but not yet the subject of an agreed sale; when this balance will be sold; and what further acreage is likely to be cleared for sale.
§ Mr. John HareThe total area of land under the control of the Agricultural Land Commission, including a small area not in use for agriculture, was 227,648 acres on 31st March, 1955, and 171,595 acres on 1st January, 1959. Since sales began in 1954, 81,085 acres have been approved for disposal. Of this, the sale of 44,326 acres has been completed, and price has been agreed but sale not completed in respect of a further 10,912 acres, leaving a balance of 25,847 acres so far cleared for sale but not yet subject to an agreed sale. It is hoped to dispose of the greater part of this balance in the next two years. As to future clearances,68W it is difficult at the moment to make any reliable estimate. I am reviewing the whole position and can assure my hon. Friend that no land will remain on the list for retention without very good reason.