HC Deb 21 July 1976 vol 915 c479W
26. Sir David Renton

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what proportion of the land surface in England is now developed by being covered by buildings, roads, railways, airfields and for other purposes, which are not for farming and forestry and which are not natural open spaces, public or private.

Mr. Guy Barnett

The latest estimate indicates that about 11 per cent. of the total land area of England and Wales was developed by 1971. A comparable figure for England alone is not readily available.