§
Motion made, and Question proposed,
That an humble Address be presented to His Majesty, praying His Majesty to make two Orders in Council under the Military Manœuvres Acts, 1897 and 1911, drafts of which were presented to this House on the 8th day of February last."—[Sir V. Warrender.]
§ 8.54 p.m.
§ Mr. TurtonI wish to ask the Financial Secretary to the War Office one short question. Nobody in any quarter of the House wants, I am sure, to do anything to interfere with the execution of these military manœuvres. The area includes one of the richest agricultural parts in the rural county of Yorkshire, and the whole of my constituency. I would therefore ask the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether adequate compensation is provided for agriculture, and whether those who carry out the manœuvres will do what they can to see that they do not interfere with agricultural operations. The time of manœuvres is the time of harvest in this part of the world, and I am hoping that my hon. Friend will be able to reassure the people in that part of the country.
§ 8.56 p.m.
§ The Financial Secretary to the War Office (Sir Victor Warrender)I think I can give my hon. Friend that assurance. If he cares to look at the Military Manoeuvres Act, 1897, under which we are enabled by certain machinery to hold manoeuvres in certain parts of the country, he will see that it is laid down in Section 6 that a compensation officer shall be appointed by a commission which is set up under another Section of the Act, and that it shall be his duty to investigate claims for damage to crops or damage of other kinds which may be caused by the holding of the manoeuvres 461 or by troops in any area. I can say with truth that during the time that I have been connected with the War Office no cases has come to my notice which has not been satisfactorily settled, and that the interests of farmers and others concerned with the land are adequately safeguarded. The Act lays down that in the event of disagreement the case shall be taken to arbitration. I can certainly say that great care is taken by those in charge of the troops to try to ensure that as little damage as possible is done. Certain spots are frequently, for one reason or another, scheduled as out of bounds to troops to prevent the possibility of damage being done. I hope that my hon. Friend will accept that assurance.
§
Resolved,
That an humble Address be presented to His Majesty, praying His Majesty to make two Orders in Council under the Military Manoeuvres Acts, 1897 and 1911, drafts of which were presented to this House on the 8th day of February last.
§ To be presented by Privy Councillors or Members of His Majesty's Household.
§ The remaining Orders were read, and postponed.