HC Deb 29 June 1944 vol 401 cc798-9
50. Mr. Vernon Bartlett

asked the Minister of Agriculture what steps are to be taken to assure that good farming land near towns will be reserved for agricultural purposes.

Mr. Hudson

My rural land utilisation officers, and the regional planning officers of my right hon. Friend the Minister of Town and Country Planning, are in constant consultation with local planning authorities in regard to the exercise of their powers under the Town and Country Planning Acts in the matter referred to. My hon. Friend will understand that the object must always be to determine the best use of land in the national interest, taking all needs into account.

Mr. Bartlett

Is the Minister aware of the very great uneasiness among all people interested in the future of agriculture from the fact that that problem is entirely left out of the Government's White Paper?

Mr. Hudson

I do not think I could accept that. On the contrary, if my hon. Friend will read the White Paper more carefully he will see that this is dealt with particularly in paragraph 8, page ii.

Mr. Bartlett

Very superficially.