§ 44. Colonel Carverasked the Minister of Agriculture whether any estimate can yet be made of the damage done to agricultural property and buildings during air raids; and what steps are being taken to restore such property as rapidly as possible in the interests of food production?
§ Mr. T. WilliamsThe acreage of agricultural land which has been rendered temporarily uncultivatable owing to enemy action is infinitesimal compared with the total acreage under crops and grass in this country while the damage to buildings has been relatively insignificant. As regards the repair of farm buildings and plant damaged by enemy action, my right hon. Friend is prepared, on the recommendation of the War Agricultural Executive Committee for the county concerned, to consider action under the Essential Buildings and Plant (Repair of War Damage) Act, 1939. The question whether damage to agricultural property generally can or should be covered by insurance falls to be considered in connection with the larger question of insurance against war damage applicable to all classes of property which is at present receiving the attention of His Majesty's Government.