HC Deb 09 February 1966 vol 724 cc96-7W
155. Mr. William Hamilton

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what has been the average increase of rents paid by tenant farmers since 1961; and if he will take steps to curb excessive increases being demanded by landowners.

Mr. John Mackie

The average increase in rents in England and Wales since 1961 has been as follows:

per cent.
October, 1961—October, 1962 8
October, 1962—October, 1963 7
October, 1963—October, 1964 7

Farm rents are settled by agreement or by the procedure for arbitration set out in the Agricultural Holdings Act, 1948, and the Agriculture Act, 1958. Changes in rents are, however, one of the matters taken into account at the Annual Review.