§ 48. Mr. J. Griffithsasked the Minister of Agriculture what is the total acreage of land requisitioned by Government Departments in Wales in the past three years and the acreage proposed to be so requisitioned in the immediate future, will he give the number of agricultural workers displaced from their farm holdings; and is he taking steps to urge the Departments to seek other sites for their establishments?
§ The Minister of Agriculture (Colonel Sir Reginald Dorman-Smith)The total area of land in Wales acquired during the past three years by Government Departments is approximately 49,000 acres, of which some 8 per cent. has been requisitioned, but I have no precise information as to the number of agricultural workers displaced. I am not aware that any further acquisitions on a considerable scale are contemplated in the immediate future. As regards the last part of the Question, I would not feel justified in urging the Departments concerned to exclude Wales in connection with the selection of sites necessary for purposes concerned with the prosecution of the war.
§ Mr. GriffithsIs the Minister aware that a recent requisitioning of land involved the displacement of 18 farmers whose forbears had been there for centuries, and that this sort of thing is destroying some of the richest agricultural land in Wales? Will he approach the Departments concerned, as we are convinced that alternative sites are available for this work?
§ Sir R. Dorman-SmithPerhaps the hon. Member will have a word with me afterwards about this matter.