THE DUKE OF NORFOLKasked Her Majesty's Government whether they will bring up to date for 1957–58 the figures relating to the loss of agricultural land given in the Table attached to the reply to his question on April 6, 1955.
EARL WALDEGRAVEA table of the figures up to 1956–57, the latest year
NET DECREASES IN THE AGRICULTURAL AREA OF ENGLAND AND WALES Miscellaneous* Year Building and general Constructional Development Sports Grounds Aerodromes or Air Ministry War Office Other Total Miscellaneous Total Acres Acres Acres Acres Acres Acres Acres 1939–40–1941–42 41,000 + 26,600 160,000 212,800 14,600 387,400 401,800 1942–43–1944–45 50,100 + 400 93,100 107,700 20,800 221,600 271,300 Total war years 91,100 + 27,000 253,100 320,500 35,400 609,000 673,100 Average per year 15,200 + 4,500 42,200 53,400 5,900 101,500 112,200 1945–46–1947–48 108,100 26,000 + 83,700 + 72,300 6,700 + 149,300 + 15,200 1948–49–1950–51 84,300 24,700 — — — + 39,800 69,200 1951–52–1953–54 98,500 10,100 — — — + 17,100 91,500 1954–55–1956–57 106,900 9,200 — — — + 10,000 106,100 Total post-war years 397,800 70,000 — — — + 216,200 251,600 Average per year 33,200 5,800 — — — + 18,000 21,000 * The expression "miscellaneous" used in Cmd. 6378 (Report of the Committee on Land Utilisation in Rural Areas) refers mainly to certain Government Departments, Service and Civil, but excluding the Forestry Commission. From 1948–49 these figures were collected under different headings. Plus figures indicate net recoveries.