§ 26. Mr. Vernon Bartlettasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works and Planning what steps the Government propose to take to implement the recommendations of the Scott Committee on Land Utilisation in Rural Areas?
§ The Joint Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works and Planning (Mr. Henry Strauss)The recommendations in the Report of the Scott Committee relate to a wide range of important matters and concern a number of Departments. Close study of the recommendations and their implications is necessary before the action to be taken can be determined, and this is being undertaken.
§ Mr. BartlettAs this is a matter which is of very great importance to the country, will the hon. Gentleman see that the close study he referred to is carried out as expeditiously as possible?
§ Mr. StraussThere will be no unnecessary delay, but if my hon. Friend studies the report he will realise the great number of Departments that are concerned—the Ministry of Agriculture, the Ministry of Health, the Board of Education, the Home Office, the Ministry of War Transport, the Ministry of Fuel and Power, the Board of Trade, the Ministry of Labour and the Service Departments.
§ Major LyonsIs it not the case that a lot of the suggestions which have been made could well wait until the end of the war?
§ Mr. Edmund HarveyIs it not a fact that the Committee have emphasised the urgency of legislation before the close of the war if their objects are to be carried out?
§ Mr. StraussNothing in my answer negatives that view.