§ Mr. Cordleasked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many areas of primarily productive agricultural land has been allocated for development and developed in each of the years since 1946.
§ Mr. BishopI have been asked to reply. The following are the estimatees of land transferred out of agricultural use in England and Wales, excluding land transferred to Forestry Commission and private woodlands. The estimates are based upon the agricultural census which210W is concerned only with holdings having significant output.
5-year Period Net Annual Transfers (acres) 1946–47 to 1950–51 + 7,700* 1951–52 to 1955–56 -29,200 1956–57 to 1960–61 -38,300 1961–62 to 1965–66 -33,300 1966–67 to 1970–71 -49,800 1968–69to 1972–73 -66,800† * During this period substantial areas of land were returned to agricultural use from Government Departments. † The most recent 5-year period available. Note: No information is available as to the 'mount of land developed.