§ 67. Mr. Langford-Holtasked the Minister of Agriculture whether it was with the approval of his Department that land belonging to Mr. T. Williams, Chapel House Farm, Minsterly, Salop, has been acquired by Atcham Rural District Council for housing purposes
§ Mr. T. WilliamsThe proposal of the Atcham Rural District to purchase land belonging to Mr. T. Williams, of Chapel House Farm, Minsterly, Salop, for housing purposes was submitted to my Department in accordance with the usual procedure. It was not considered that objection to the proposal could justifiably be raised on agricultural grounds.
§ Mr. Langford-HoltWould the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind two things: firstly, that the six acres in question are producing animal foodstuffs and corn, and secondly, that they form a part of a twenty-four acres farm which will probably necessitate that farmer going out of business? Will he use his influence to get his right hon. Friend the Minister of Health to reconsider the matter?
§ Mr. WilliamsI understand that the report of the inquiry by my war agricultural executive committee was to the effect that the acquisition of the land would tend to spoil the smallholdings but that the consequent loss to agriculture would not be serious.