HC Deb 02 November 1937 vol 328 cc727-8
70. Sir F. Acland

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, in connection with works contemplated by his Department in the vicinity of Usk, in Monmouthshire, an assurance can be given that there will be no interference by building or in other ways with the estate of the agricultural college near Usk or with the agricultural work usually carried on upon it?

Mr. Hore-Belisha

Apart from the laying of a buried pipe line across the agricultural land, the building of the factory in question will not interfere with the estate of the agricultural college near Usk. This pipe, when it has been laid, will not affect normal work on the land above it.

Mr. Bevan

Would the right hon. Gentleman tell the House whether it would not be possible to find a more suitable site near centres of unemployment rather than to spoil an agricultural area?

Mr. Hore-Belisha

I thought I had made it plain that we were not spoiling it. The pipe line will be underground.

Mr. Bevan

Would it not be more aesthetically desirable, and certainly more economically desirable, to establish the works near centres of unemployment?