HC Deb 04 June 1998 vol 313 c339W
16. Mr. Drew

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the Government's policy on county council small holdings. [42737]

Mr. Morley

The Government recognise the important role of county council smallholdings as a first rung on the farming ladder. I congratulate those local authorities which pursue policies to develop their estates, but emphasise that such decisions are properly taken at local level.