§ 52. Sir Ralph Glynasked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is in a position to make a statement about the proposal to set aside a further area of land in an area of which he has been informed for special military exercises on a scale so large as to destroy crops and necessitate the transfer of dairy and other cattle?
Mr. HudsonI do not think I can usefully add to the reply which was given yesterday by my hon. Friend the Financial Secretary, War Office, in regard to this matter.
§ Sir R. GlynWill my right hon. Friend take into account the permanent loss of livelihood of a large number of people if this scheme goes through as at present arranged, and will he press for a further reconnaissance to be made?
Mr. HudsonMy hon. Friend can well imagine that I regret this extremely from the food production point of view, but, after all, we have to win the war, and military priorities must take precedence.
§ Earl WintertonIs my right hon. Friend aware of the great concern caused in many parts of England at this taking of land, in view of the statement of the Minister of Food regarding our difficulties next year?
§ Sir R. GlynWe quite appreciate the importance of this training, but this is an area of 150,000 acres, and it means the loss of a large number of accredited tested dairy herds. Can some adequate arrangement be made to secure the milk supply?
Mr. HudsonI am aware of all those facts. For what it is worth, the original area demanded was very much larger, and we have succeeded in cutting it down.