§ Mr. Strangasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how much agricultural land in Great Britain was owned by (a) companies and institutions and (b) individuals not resident in Great Britain in each of the last five years; and what proportion this represents of total agricultural land.
§ Mrs. FennerA number of landowners, including farming owner-occupiers, operate their agricultural businesses as companies. The acquisition of agricultural land by financial institutions and overseas buyers was investigated in depth by the Northfield committee, the report of which was published in July 1979. At that time the committee's best estimate of the extent of ownership in Great Britain was that 1.2 per cent. was owned by financial institutions and about 1 per cent. by overseas buyers. Since that time the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food has monitored data relating to sales and purchases of land in England and the indications are that the proportions have risen only slightly.
§ Mr. Strangasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how much agricultural land was in the tenanted sector, excluding partnerships, for each of the last five years; and what proportion this represents of total agricultural land.
§ Mrs. FennerFollowing is the information requested for England and Wales:
Year Total area of rented agricultural land '000 hectares Percentage of Total agricultural land 1976 4,979.0 45.2 1977 4,860.0 44.3 1978 4,750.3 43.3 1979 4,649.7 42.4 1980 4,566.0 41.8