HC Deb 18 December 1916 vol 88 c1108
54. Sir W. BYLES

asked the Prime Minister whether the Government adopts and sanctions the proposal of the Earl of Crawford to authorise the use of selected portions of common land for the purposes of food production; and, if so, why the scanty land possessions of the common people are preferred to the broad acres of private landowners?

The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the BOARD of AGRICULTURE (Sir R. Winfrey)

The proposal to take powers to use selected portions of common lands, if necessary, for the purpose of food production during the; War was announced by the late President of the Board of Agriculture in another place on the 29th ult., after it had been sanctioned by the Cabinet. It is embodied in an Order in Council dated the 5th inst., a copy of which I will send to my hon. Friend. It is not proposed to take common land where other suitable land is available.

Mr. W. THORNE

Is the hon. Gentleman not aware that there are millions of acres of land out of cultivation, and cannot he deal with those instead of taking commons and parks?

Sir R. WINFREY

We shall take that land before we take common land.