HC Deb 16 January 1984 vol 52 c3W
Mr. Foulkes

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the average price of prime agricultural land in each county of England at the latest available date and at the same date on each of the last five years.

Mrs. Fenner

The information requested is not available by county, but is shown below by region for the years for which data are available. Prime agricultural land has been taken as land in grades 1 and 2 as defined in the agricultural land classification of England and Wales. The data are based on sales of land where grades 1 or 2 predominate and therefore may contain an element representing lower grades.

All Properties, All Sales (£ per hectare)
Ministry Regions *1978–79 *1979–80
Northern 2,550 4,024
Yorks/Lancs 2,738 3,753
East Midlands 3,087 4,415
West Midlands 2,732 4,555
Eastern 3,214 4,307
South East 2,671 3,582
South West 2,669 3,239
ENGLAND 2,909 4,049

Standard Statistical Regions *1980–81 * 1981–82
Northern
North West 3,669 4,386
Yorks/Humberside 3,855 3,222
East Midlands 4,292 4,417
West Midlands 4,324 4,140
East Anglia 3,383 4,272
South East 3,956 4,040
South West 3,192 3,466
ENGLAND 3,820 3,919
Notes:
* Based on sales reported up to 30 September.
† There were so few sales in these years that it would be a breach of confidentiality to provide a price per hectare.

Source: Inland Revenue.