§ 41. Rear-Admiral Beamishasked the right hon. and gallant Member for Rye, as representing the Forestry Commissioners, what is the policy in regard to utilising land suitable for food production, and which now has been found uneconomic for forestry; and whether he can state the areas of such lands, the districts concerned, and the authorities, if any, who are co-operating?
§ Colonel Sir George Courthope (Forestry Commissioner)The Commissioners have in one locality, namely, the South Downs, two to three hundred acres which might be classified in the way suggested by the hon. Member. In accordance with their general policy the Forestry Commissioners are co-operating with the East Sussex War Agricultural Executive Committee with a view to increasing food production.
§ Earl WintertonIs it not the fact that war agricultural executive committees have complete powers to annex this land, 689 in the same way as they have to take the land of private individuals, if they desire to exercise their powers?
§ Sir G. CourthopeCertainly. As to this land, friendly negotiations are now going on as to its replanting after the war.
§ Mr. Neil MacleanWill the right hon. and gallant Gentleman say whether the land which he referred to is the only Forestry Commission land which has been taken for the production of food?
§ Sir G. CourthopeA great deal of land has been handed over by the Forestry Commission to war agricultural committees in different parts of the country, but this is the only land which we had actually planted which is to be ploughed up.