§ Mr. Arthur Jonesasked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many acres of land within the designated area of Northampton are still in agricultural use; if acquisition of this land in whole or part by the Northampton Development Corporation is proceeding; and what changes in policy in respect of agricultural land flowed from his recent announcement about the future of this expanding town.
§ Mr. Guy BarnettSome 5,000 acres is still in agricultural use, of which about 2,700 acres has been acquired by the Northampton Development Corporation. It is in the process of acquiring a further area of just over 100 acres, by agreement, in connection with a road scheme. Questions of land use policy will be considered in the light of the final decisions on the plans for the future of the new town.