HC Deb 30 March 1944 vol 398 c1556
53. Mr. Bartlett

asked the Minister of Agriculture what are the duties of land utilisation officers; when they were first appointed; in what respect their duties differ from those of land commissioners; and whether they were appointed in collaboration with the war agricultural executive committee of the regions concerned.

Mr. Hudson

The rural land utilisation officers, who were appointed during 1942 and 1943, advise planning authorities in regard to the effect of their proposals on agriculture, in order to ensure that good agricultural land is not used for development if land of less productive capacity is available. They keep in close touch both with the county war agricultural executive committees and with my Land Commissioners. The Land Commissioners are heavily engaged in important duties relating to war-time food production and their duties do not overlap those of the rural land utilisation officers. The answer to the last part of the Question is," No, Sir."