HC Deb 06 November 1980 vol 991 c647W
Mr. William Ross

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what percentages of the areas of England, Scotland, Wales and the Republic of Ireland are at present classed as marginal land.

Mr. Wiggin

"Marginal land" is not an official classification of land used in the United Kingdom.

The percentage of the areas of England, Scotland and Wales designated as less favoured under directive 75/268 EEC are approximately 12 per cent., 78 per cent. and 56 per cent. respectively.

According to European Community sources the equivalent figure for the Republic of Ireland is 55 per cent.