HC Deb 15 July 1943 vol 391 cc367-8
51. Sir Waldron Smithers

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether, in view of the fact that the war agricultural executive committee urged that farm buildings on the estate of General Dawnay, Longparish, Hampshire, were of vital importance and should be put in hand immediately and that, owing to the overlapping powers of three Ministries, it took five months to obtain the necessary permits, and of the appeals to farmers and farm workers to grow and harvest vital crops and their response, he will consult with the other Departments concerned with a view to minimising such delays in the future?

Mr. Hudson

The delay in this case was due to a mistake made in dealing with an application for timber and resulted in unnecessary reference to other Departments. I am in consultation with the Departments concerned with a view to simplifying the present procedure.

Sir W. Smithers

Will the right hon. Gentleman, in order to help in the work that he is doing, make it a Cabinet matter to cut out all the red tape possible in war-time?

Mr. Hudson

There was no red tape necessary in this case. It was due to a mistake.