§ 66. Sir Joseph Lambasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Transport what arrangement has been made by his Department to ensure that the grass growing in the sides of railway tracks, estimated to be approximately an area of 70,000 acres, is made available for use as stock food in the form of hay during the present cutting periods?
§ The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Transport (Colonel Llewellin)The arrangement made with the railway companies last year whereby farmers were allowed to harvest grass on any railway slopes adjoining their farms is being continued this season, and farmers wishing to take advantage of it should apply to the local station master.
§ Sir J. LambIs my right hon. and gallant Friend aware that there is a great shortage of labour on the farms, and that farmers have difficulty in getting men who would be suitable to cut grass at the sides of railway tracks, as is done by men already in the employment of the railway companies? Would it not be better for the railway companies to harvest the grass for their own purposes or for sale?
§ Colonel LlewellinI think the farmers in the locality are much better equipped to deal with the hay crop than the railway companies are.