HC Deb 02 December 1974 vol 882 c362W
Mr. Wm. Ross

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many acres of arable land there are in Northern Ireland.

Mr. Merlyn Rees

In the June 1974 agricultural census the total area of cropped land including fruit was 195,000 acres and the area of grassland under four years old was 457,000 acres. A proportion of the 1,400,000 acres of grassland over four years old, excluding rough and hill grazing, was also arable land.

Mr. Wm. Ross

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will give an estimate of the number of acres of non-arable land in Northern Ireland which are not in actual use for agriculture in any way.

Mr. Merlyn Rees

The area of non-arable land in Northern Ireland which is not in use for agriculture or forestry is estimated at about half a million acres.

Mr. Wm. Ross

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many acres of marginal land there are in Northern Ireland.

Mr. Merlyn Rees

This information is not available.

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