HC Deb 12 June 1918 vol 106 cc2216-8
Captain CARR-GOMM (by Private Notice)

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will give the House the opportunity of discussing the proposal to take over, for military purposes, about l½ square miles of the best agricultural land in South Bucks, most of it bearing corn of the finest quality, and of hearing a statement from the Minister concerned before the final steps in this transaction are taken by the Government?

Mr. BONAR LAW

I assume that the hon. Member is referring to the same case as that dealt with by my right hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State for War in his reply to a question by my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for South Bucks on 5th June. I regret that I can add nothing to that reply.

Captain CARR-GOMM

Have the War Cabinet decided on this now? Have the War Cabinet had brought to their attention the fact that in this part of the country there are several private parks, golf courses, a large race course, and other land which is not bearing agricultural produce, and that great sums of money have been put into this land which is well known to be some of the richest land in the South of England, and will the right hon. Gentleman arrange that this matter can be discussed and a Minister shall speak on it on the Vote of Credit, and that the final decision shall not be taken until after this discussion takes place.

Brigadier-General McCALMONT

Is it not a fact that in addition to something like 300 acres bearing important crops a whole hospital is to be taken down in this place, and has not the work of destruction already commenced so that if anything is going to be done it must be done at once?

Mr. BONAR LAW

I can only say that all the facts as I believe which were brought to the notice of the House were before the mind of the Government when they decided the matter. It was submitted to the Cabinet by the Director of Food Production. We appointed one of our number to go into it and examine it. He did so, and it was on his advice that a decision was given. I have no objection to the subject being discussed on the Vote of Credit, but I cannot promise that in the circumstances the Government will reconsider their decision.

Mr. MORRELL

Will the right hon. Gentleman promise that the work will be stopped until the House has had an opportunity of considering the matter?

Mr. BONAR LAW

No. The Government could not go on if it were to be on the basis that whenever a decision was objected to the work of carrying it out could not be commenced.

Mr. HOGGE

Is it a fact that the actual work of demolishing the public buildings on this site has been begun?

Mr. BONAR LAW

I really cannot say that. I have no means of knowing that.

Mr. FRANCE

Does the right hon. Gentleman wish us to understand that if the House of Commons expressed a strong view on the matter of this land being spoiled and food wasted the War Cabinet would not be prepared to consider the view of the House of Commons?

Mr. BONAR LAW

No. I do not at all imply that. Of course the Government depends on the House of Commons. If the House of Commons takes a view on any subject different from that of the Government either the Government has to adopt the view of the House of Commons or has to go. That is quite evident. What I meant was that the Government are not prepared to stop what has been already decided on merely because the question has been raised in the House of Commons.

Captain CARR-GOMM

(subsequently): In view of the importance of taking over agricultural land, and of the replies which have been given in the House, I beg to ask leave to move the Adjournment of the House for the purpose of discussing a definite matter of urgent public importance, namely, the taking over of a largo area of agricultural land in the county of Buckingham by the War Department?

Mr. BONAR LAW

Before a decision is given, may I put it to my hon. and gallant Friend and to the House that the subject can be discussed next week— [HON. MEMBERS: "TOO late!"] —and that in any case it is very unlikely that anything that can be done this afternoon would make any difference.

The pleasure of the House not having been signified, Mr. Speaker called on those Members who supported the Motion to rise in their places, and not less than forty Members having accordingly risen, the Motion stood over, under Standing Order No. 10, until a quarter-past Eight this evening.