§ Mr. Emeryasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the total net anual transfer of agricultural land to development land, broken down into transfer for industrial development, for local authority housing and for private housing land, respectively, in periods of five years from 1946 to 1973.
§ Mr. OakesThe following are the estimates 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, which is concerned only with holdings having significant output. No information is available as to the type of development.
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 1968–69 to 1972–73 -66,800† *During this period substantial areas of land were returned to agricultural use from Government Departments. †The most recent five-year period available.