§ Mr. StrangTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the average price per hectare of average quality arable agricultural land in England on the latest available date; and what was the comparable price in the previous year.
§ Mr. CurryOfficial price statistics of agricultural land do not distinguish between land uses. The bulk of arable production takes place on land grades 1, 2 and 3. The latest available average price of land, including buildings, for these combined grades sold in England is £4,370 per hectare and relates broadly to calendar year 1988; the comparable figure for 1987 is £3,555 per hectare.