HL Deb 05 December 1978 vol 397 cc104-5WA
Lord STANLEY of ALDERLEY

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What is the acreage of agricultural land that is owned by each of the nine Regional Water Authorities in England and the Welsh Water Authority and what percentage in each Authority is:

  1. (a) let on an agricultural tenancy, and
  2. (b) farmed by the Authority itself; and

Whether any of the nine Regional Water Authorities in England and the Welsh Water Authority have purchased any agricultural land since 1st September 1973, and, if so, how much and by which Authority it was purchased.

The PARLIAMENTARY UNDERSECRETARY of STATE, DEPARTMENT of the ENVIRONMENT (Baroness Birk)

The information which the noble Lord seeks is not held centrally. Much of it would be available within the water authorities, as the management responsibility is theirs. The noble Lord may like to contact water authorities direct: alternatively, if there are particular policy points he would like pursued and he would care to write to me, I would be happy to look into these.