Written question asked by David Hinchliffe (Labour), in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 10 March 1997. It was answered by Lord Boswell of Aynho (Conservative) on Monday, 10 March 1997 on behalf of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food.

Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food

Question: What is his estimate of the annual rental cost for one acre of land on an average dairy farm in the United Kingdom for each month from January 1995 to February 1997.

Answer: Mr. Hinchliffe: To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is his estimate of the annual rental cost for one acre of land on an average dairy farm in the United Kingdom for each month from January 1995 to February 1997. [18193] Mr. Boswell: The information is not available in the form requested. Estimates of the rent of agricultural land in England and Wales are collected annually. Until 1995 the rent enquiry collected information from land agents on the levels of rents for agricultural land let under full agricultural tenancies and did not collect information on the types of farm. This showed that the average rent in October 1995 for all farms in England was £111 per hectare--£45 per acre. In October 1996 the annual survey of tenanted land was introduced to collect information from tenants and covered all types of tenancy agreements. The results from this survey are currently being analysed and will be available very shortly.

Secondary information