§ 50. Mr. Hunterasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what general movement there has been in agricultural rents since the passing of the Agricultural Holdings Act 1984; and if he is satisfied with the operation of that Act.
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§ Mrs. FennerThe Ministry's annual farm rent inquiry showed that between mid-October 1984 and mid-October 1985 the average rent in England increased by 6.1 per cent., compared with an increase of 7.8 per cent. in the previous 12-month period.
It is still too soon to make any firm assessment of the effect of the Agricultural Holdings Act 1984 on the tenanted sector. I was, however, encouraged by the Central Association of Agricultural Valuers' 1985 survey of tenanted farms, which suggested that there had been an increase in fresh lettings since the passing of the 1984 Act.