HC Deb 18 July 1972 vol 841 c59W
24. Mr. Skeet

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will indicate the extent and speed of the rationalisation of farm structure now taking place in the United Kingdom, and what this means in terms of the number of full-time farmers and the size of farms.

Mr. Peter Mills

It is estimated that between 1965 and 1971 the number of full-time farms declined by about 4,000 a year on average, and is now about 183,000. The average size of full-time farms increased in the same period by about six acres a year on average and is now 231 acres.