HC Deb 05 March 1976 vol 906 cc769-70W
Mr. Geraint Howells

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many acres of agricultural land is lost annually in Scotland to other uses; and if he will

in table 3.1 of Command Paper No. 6393 under the heading of trade industry and employment in each of the years covered; and if he will express similarly the allocation to the North of Scotland Hydro Board and the Scottish Office in respect of its responsibility for selective assistance to industry.

Mr. William Ross

The information is as follows:

specify with statistics the principal uses for which such land has been used and required.

Mr. William Ross

The annual net loss of agricultural land in Scotland to other uses over the period June 1970 to June 1975 was 62,724 acres, made up as follows:

Acres
Roads, housing and industrial development 3,014
Recreation 748
Mineral workings 653
Hydro-electric and water boards 103
Service departments 20
Forestry 59,486
Other (net gain) 1,300

Net land loss statistics are published annually in "Agricultural Statistics Scotland".