HC Deb 23 June 1978 vol 952 c356W
Mr. Gwynfor Evans

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what is his assessment of the acreage lost to farming in Wales during the last 10 years.

Mr. Alec Jones

The best available assessment of the acreage of crops and grass, with rough grazings lost to farming in Wales during the 10 years to June 1977 is given in the following table:

1967–68 7,800
1968–69 15,000
1969–70 27,200
1970–71
1971–72 18,700
1972–73 5,200
1973–74 8,200
1974–75 400
1975–76 8,500
1976–77

Final figures for 1975–76 and 1976–77 are not yet available but this should not affect the result to a significant degree.