§ MR. A. L. LEVER (Essex, Harwich)To ask the Secretary of State for War whether the purchase of 300 acres of land in the parish of Fingringhoe, near Colchester, Essex, is intended to be completed on 25th March; whether it is intended to purchase the cropping and use the land at once for military purposes; if so, whether he has taken into consideration the effect on the labourers and farm servants who would be thrown out of work, and at a season when they would experience difficulty in finding fresh permanent employment; and whether he will consider the desirability of deferring the completion of the purchase of this land until Michaelmas.
(Answered by Mr. Secretary Haldane.) The purchase of this land will be completed on the 25th March. The purchase includes cropping and use of land for military purposes. The effect of turning labourers and farm servants out of work has been carefully considered, as is usual in such cases; but in view of the urgent military requirements of this case, it has been decided that it is necessary to proceed with the purchase without delay. I am afraid, therefore, that it is not possible to adopt my hon. friend's suggestion of deferring the completion of the purchase.