HC Deb 15 June 1936 vol 313 cc623-4
20. Sir WILLIAM DAVISON

asked the Minister of Agriculture what progress is being made with the preparation by the Ordnance Survey of the 25-inch to the mile maps, most of which have become out of date by reason of the reduction in the Parliamentary grant to the Ordnance Survey Department made in 1922; whether he is aware of the difficulties caused in making town and country planning schemes as well as to the land registration of the conveyance of property by the absence of such maps; and whether, pending their preparation, an aerial survey of the country can be prepared?

Mr. ELLIOT

The whole question of the revision of Ordnance Survey maps is under consideration by a Departmental Committee of which my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster is chairman. They have already submitted an interim report, of which I am sending my hon. Friend a copy. The recommendations contained therein, which cover town and country planning schemes, have been accepted by the Government, and as a result the establishment of the Ordnance Survey Department has already been increased by 550 technical assistants who are now in process of training. Arrangements have also been made for an extensive experiment in the use of air photography in the survey, and the Departmental Committee will doubtless make further reference to this subject in their final report.

Sir W. DAVISON

While thanking my right hon. Friend for his satisfactory reply, does he consider that the 550 additional members of the Ordnance Survey will be adequate in order to get rid of the arrears as quickly as possible?

Mr. ELLIOT

I cannot say as to that. A great deal depends on the progress of the experiments in the Air Department, but at any rate it is making a satisfactory start.

Sir JOSEPH NALL

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware of the great inconvenience caused by the delay in printing revised maps, and cannot the Department in the meantime make use of the surveys made by county surveyors?

Mr. ELLIOT

I do not think that the Ordnance Survey can delegate its authority and responsibility to anyone.

Sir J. NALL

But as the information collected by county surveyors is available why cannot the Department make use of it?

Mr. ELLIOT

The committee is going into that question and other questions of the kind.

Mr. SORENSEN

Will the right hon. Gentleman see that the most up-to-date maps are put in the Library for the use of hon. Members?

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