§ 62. Mr. De Chairasked the Secretary of State for Air whether he is aware that the farmers who were recently ordered to 2195 cease agricultural operations on their small farms at Methwold, which the Air Ministry is taking over, are being threatened by the sugar-beet companies with a fine of £10 per acre if they do not deliver the crops which they have contracted for; and whether he will give an assurance that the farmers concerned will not suffer any financial loss through inability to fulfil their contracts or for any other reason attributable to the Air Ministry's action in taking over the land?
§ Sir K. WoodI am aware of the circumstances in which the farmers referred to are being fined, and in cases where the inability to harvest the sugar beet is due to the action of my Department, the liability for the payment of the fines will be taken over.