§ 84. Sir P. Hurdasked the Secretary of State for War what action he is taking upon the representations made to him as to the serious and often unnecessary interference with the food production campaign of the Government caused by the undefined military occupation of agricultural land in areas such as those of Marlborough and Swindon; and whether he will direct these military authorities to confer with the Wiltshire Agricultural War Executive Committee and the Wiltshire National Farmers' Union so as to ensure that Army manoeuvres and other military acitivities make the least possible disturbance of agricultural operations?
§ Sir V. WarrenderCommands have been instructed that, in taking land for training, interference with agricultural land must be limited to the minimum necessary, and that in case of any doubt or objection by the occupier the matter should be referred to the local land commissioner of the Ministry of Agriculture.
§ Sir P. HurdDoes my hon. Friend not realise that this is a most unsatisfactory position and that this interference 2130 with the Government food campaign should not take place unless there has been prior consultation with the war agricultural executive committees and the National Farmers' Union, otherwise the Government's food campaign will break down?
§ Sir V. WarrenderWe are keeping in close touch with the Minister of Agriculture, and, so far as possible, with the local bodies. We are quite aware of the difficulties.
§ Sir P. HurdThe fact I have brought to the attention of the War Office was that this interference is still going on and that no such prior consultation takes place.
§ Mr. StephenWill the Minister see that the Agricultural Workers' Union also is consulted?