§ 19. Mr. Lunnasked the Minister of Agriculture whether he will give an assurance that the Government intend to put into operation the Emergency Powers Act in all cases where owners or tenants of good land suitable for growing food, not derelict land, are unable or unwilling to put it into use to grow food for the people?
§ The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Agriculture (Mr. T. Williams)The powers already entrusted to my right hon. Friend under the Defence (General) Regulations and which have been delegated to county war agricultural executive committees are ample for the purpose of compelling occupiers of agricultural land to put it to the best possible use for the production of foodstuffs, and he proposes to exercise these powers to the full. If my hon. Friend is referring to land which is not strictly agricultural land, e.g., parks which are not de-rated, etc., my right hon. Friend has under consideration the taking of further powers in regard to such land.
§ Mr. LunnIs that being carried out to-day through the county war agricultural committees, and are they aware of these powers?
§ Mr. WilliamsThe county war agricultural committees are aware of the powers in their hands and it is the wish of my right hon. Friend that they should exercise all the powers in their possession.