HC Deb 10 April 1941 vol 370 cc1810-1
The Minister of Agriculture (Mr. R. S. Hudson)

My hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Bolton (Sir E. Cadogan) and my hon. Friend the Member for Swindon (Mr. Wakefield) have raised questions regarding the cultivation of recreation grounds and playing fields, and my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Bolton asked me if I would give an assurance that my powers would not be used needlessly and capriciously. To the best of my belief, my powers are not being used needlessly or capriciously. The problem falls into two main categories. First of all, there are the sports grounds and playing fields in provincial and rural areas, and, secondly, similar areas in the London district. My hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Bolton asked me whether there had been any change in Government policy since Lord Crewe apparently received a letter. Judging by the date it must have been before I was appointed.

Sir E. Cadogan

Yes, it was.

Mr. Hudson

When I was appointed, I had not the necessary powers over parks, golf courses and playing fields. As I said in the Debate the other day, I have had a new Defence Regulation made altering that condition of affairs and giving me increased powers, and, therefore, there has been a change of policy to that extent. As far as sports grounds and playing fields in the provinces and rural areas are concerned, the county war agricultural committees now have powers to give directions as to the cultivation and management or use of the land. I have instructed them that these directions should principally take the form of the grazing of the land by stock, or else of using the grass for hay or silage. In particular cases where portions of these playing fields or recreation grounds are on reasonably good agricultural land, and where these areas are not required for the present for the purposes of playing fields the committees are informed that directions for ploughing up portions of such land can properly be served. But in order to prevent any indiscriminate action on the part of the committees I have told them that they must not serve any directions in such cases without my express consent. Therefore, to that extent hon. Members can be sure that this policy is not being followed needlessly or capriciously.

As to playing-fields and recreation grounds in London, the question mainly is to satisfy the demand for allotments. As the number of inhabitants around London, especially children, has been enormously reduced, there are numbers of cases where playing fields and recreation grounds are not being fully used, and in some cases are not being used at all, owing to the evacuation of children and of businesses and their staffs. Therefore, it would be extremely wrong if I refused my consent for those playing fields to be made available for allotments, especially in areas where there is a great unsatisfied demand for allotments. Each case is treated strictly on its merits, and I can assure my hon. Friends that I will continue, as I hope I have done in the past, not to use these powers needlessly or capriciously. But if I get any particular complaint from Members such as that which my hon. Friend the Member for Swindon will perhaps let me have, I will look into it.

Sir E. Cadogan

Will my right hon. Friend do so if I send him particulars of a case from County Durham?

Mr. Hudson

Yes, Sir, with great pleasure.