§ Dr. StrangTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what information he has showing the proportion of agricultural land which was tenanted in England for(a) 1965, (b) 1970, (c) 1975, (d) 1980, (e) 1985, (f) 1990 and (g) the latest available date; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. WaldegraveThe proportion of agricultural land which was rented as recorded in the June agricultural and horticultural census is as follows:
Percentage 1965 not collected1 1970 48.3 1975 47.8 1980 43.4 1985 40.4 1990 37.0 1994 35.6 Note: 1 World Census of Agriculture (FAO) records 50.9 per cent. in 1960 for England and Wales combined. The continuing decline in the proportion of let land is one reason why the main industry organisations all agree that the reforms in our Agricultural Tenancies Bill are badly needed.