HC Deb 22 May 1984 vol 60 c385W
Mr. Fisher

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what information on agricultural land will be contained in his Department's survey of land use which is not at present included in the census of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food;

(2) what powers he has to compel owners of land to provide information for his Department's survey of land use;

(3) when he intends to (a) complete and (b) publish his Department's survey of land use;

(4) what information will be included in his Department's survey of land use;

(5) whether it is his intention to continue to update his Department's survey of land use after publication;

(6) what is the cost of (a) preparation and (b) publication of his Department's survey of land use.

Sir George Young

My right hon. Friend has taken no decision on the establishment of a new national survey of land use. Some field trials have been undertaken and the results are now being assessed. It is too early to provide details of the possible coverage, methods, timetable and costs for any survey that might be initiated. I can however assure the hon. Member that there is no intention to compel land owners to provide information for such a survey.