HC Deb 23 March 1925 vol 182 cc19-21
52. Mr. ROBERT YOUNG

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether any portion of the Wash was reclaimed by the employment of ex-enemy prisoners during

desirability of offering a substantial prize, a really substantial sum, for a remedy for this disease?

Mr. SPEAKER

The hon. Member should put that question down.

Sir J. REMNANT

Will this test be made at once, in view of the seriousness of the outbreaks that are constantly occurring in this country?

Mr. WOOD

I propose that the test should be made as soon as the cattle-testing station is ready for the test to be made.

53. Mr. NUTTALL

asked the Minister of Agriculture the number of cases of foot-and-mouth disease that have been reported since 1st January, 1925, the counties in which the outbreaks occurred, and the number of cattle and sheep in consequence destroyed?

Mr. WOOD

I am arranging to have the particulars asked for by my hon. Friend circulated in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Following are the particulars:

the period of the War; if so, what was the cost per acre of such reclaimed land; whether the land is now being used for the growing of cereal crops; and to whom it belongs or what rent is being paid for it?

Mr. WOOD

As the reply is necessarily long, I propose, with the hon. Member's permission, to circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Following is the reply:

No portion of the Wash was entirely reclaimed by ex-enemy prisoners of war, but in 1917–18 such prisoners were employed in filling gaps in a bank originally constructed by the Nene Outfall Commissioners for the enclosure of an area of 574 acres. In 1918–19, prisoners were further employed on the construction of a new bank for the enclosure of a further area of about 389 acres, and had completed about 600 yards of this bank when they were withdrawn. The completion of this work has now been taken in hand as part of the scheme sanctioned by the late Government. As regards the 574 acres above referred to as actually closed, it is impossible to state the actual cost of embanking and reclaiming, as the work was partly done by the Nene Commissioners and partly by ex-enemy prisoners. This area is now used for the growing of cereal crops, and is owned as to 324 acres by the Commissioners of Crown Lands, and as to the balance by the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries. The rent obtained by the two Departments is, approximately, £1,326 per annum, but this covers certain buildings erected on the portion belonging to the Commissioners of Crown Lands.