§ Mr. David Steelasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, if he will make a statement on the increase of farm rents.
§ Mr. StrangIt is estimated that between 1974 and 1975 average farm rents increased by about 20 per cent. This included increases agreed between landlords and tenants during the period when rents were controlled under the counter-inflation programme and which could not be implemented until May 1975.
§ Mr. David Steelasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the effect of rises in farm rents on food prices.
§ Mr. StrangTotal farm rents in the United Kingdom are less than 5 per cent. of the total wholesale value of domestic agricultural output. Retail food prices depend also on the costs of processing and distribution and of imported supplies of food. Any effects of changes in rents on food prices are, therefore, very small.
§ Mr. David Steelasked the Minister of of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what efforts he is making to bring farm rents into his counter-inflation policy.
§ Mr. StrangNone. Under the agricultural holdings legislation rents are determined by agreement between landlords and tenants. Any disputes can be referred to arbitration.