HC Deb 01 May 1941 vol 371 cc561-2
48. Earl Winterton

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware that there is, especially in the home counties, a large number of commons, once closely grazed by stock, now mainly covered with bushes and gorse; and whether, in view of the shortage of grass-keep likely to result from the ploughing campaign, he will tale' steps, when prisoner-of-war labour is available, to have these commons cleared?

Mr. Hudson

I will certainly bear in mind my noble Friend's suggestion for this use of prisoners of war.

Mr. Thorne

Will it be possible for these common lands to be cultivated on a communal basis?

Mr. Hudson

Yes, Sir, in suitable circumstances under the control of my county war agricultural committees.

49. Earl Winterton

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware that there are a number of fields in various parts of the Wealden district of Kent, Sussex and Surrey which once grew corn and which are now covered with gorse and thorns; and whether he will instruct the war agricultural committees in the counties in question to call upon the owners or occupiers to clear these fields or, alternatively, have them cleared by the labour of prisoners of war, when available, and recover the cost after the war?

Mr. Hudson

County war agricultural executive committees are fully aware of their powers in relation to the cultivation of the lands referred to, and these powers are already being exercised as freely as the circumstances will permit, bearing in mind the available resources in regard to machinery, labour and fertilisers.

Earl Winterton

Will my right hon. Friend also call for a report in the late summer or autumn of the number of such fields in the counties in question, which are very considerable? What steps are being taken to deal with them, in view of the fact that they are causing a good deal of public comment?

Mr. Hudson

I hope that before next season we shall have got under cultivation, under the plough, all the fields that have ever been cultivated in history and a good number that have never been cultivated.