§ Mr. Skeetasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how much land has been lost to agriculture in each of the past five years ; and to what uses, such as housing and industrial, it has been put.
§ Mr. StrangThe precise information requested is not available, but the following are 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 on the agricultural census which is concerned with holdings having significant output.
5–year period Net Annual Transfer (Acres) 1964–65 to 1968–69 42,000 1965–66 to 1969–70 46,300 1966–67 to 1970–71 49,800 1967–68 to 1971–72 62,100 1968–69 to 1972–73 66,800† †The most recent five year period available. In formation as to the areas of land subject subsequently to particular forms of development is not available.
§ Mr. Skeetasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how much agricultural land is owned or leased by local authorities in East Anglia and by State corporations and Ministries throughout the United Kingdom.
§ Mr. StrangThis information is not collected by my Department.