§ 16. General COLVINasked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether it is the intention of the Government to assist farmers whose land has been thrown out of cultivation by the digging of trenches for the London defences to restore it to its former condition, so that it may be prepared for the harvest of 1920; and whether German prisoners of war may be employed by the Government for this purpose?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONInstructions have been in force for a considerable time that where it is no longer necessary to retain land for trenches steps should be taken to fill in the trenches and restore the land to the owners or occupiers with a view to its cultivation. Orders have recently been issued that the trenches in the London defences may be filled in. I will consider how far assistance can be afforded by the military authorities, and in this connection the suggestion of my hon. and gallant Friend will not be overlooked.