HC Deb 22 July 1946 vol 425 cc1677-9
64. Colonel Wheatley

asked the Minister of Agriculture if the local W.A.E.C. gave consent to the cutting down of some 20 acres of growing wheat in order that the Aeronautical Research Station, near Bedford, might be extended.

51. Mr. Langford-Holt

asked the Minister of Agriculture haw much growing corn has been cut on a farm at Milton Ernest, Bedford, to accommodate a new research station.

Mr. T. Williams

As stated in the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Supply to a Question by the hon. and gallant Member for Barkston Ash (Colonel Ropner) on 17th July, 16 acres of growing corn were cut. In view of the publicity given to this case, I have prepared, in consultation with my right hon. Friend, a statement which, on account of its length, I will circulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Colonel Wheatley

Will the Minister say if he had any communication with the Ministry of Food before this took place?

Mr. Williams

I am not at all sure about having had consultation with the Ministry of Food, but I have had several consultations with the Ministry of Supply.

Sir William Darling

Will not the right hon. Gentleman consider transferring the aeronautical research station to Scotland, where there is a good deal of non-agricultural land?

Mr. Speaker

That has nothing to do with wheat.

Following is the statement:

My Department has been closely consulted by the Ministry of Supply in connection with the acquisition of land north of Bedford required for the establishment of an aeronautical research station. The final determination of boundaries was made last February; but it was then uncertain how soon preparatory work on the land could be started. It was, therefore, decided that rather than allow the land to lie idle at a time of serious food shortage, if there was any chance of being able to take a crop from it, as large an area as possible should be sown to corn despite the risk that some part of the sown area might have to be entered upon before harvest. In the event, it unfortunately proved necessary to cut approximately 16 acres of growing wheat in order to provide access for contractors' machinery and to permit the construction of roads. My Department agreed to this, as the Ministry of Supply stated that unless substantial progress was made with road construction during the remainder of the dry season this year, their main building plans, scheduled to start after harvest, would have to be postponed until next Spring. The total area of wheat in the fields affected is over 100 acres, no more of which will be cut until ripe. Practically all the wheat cut green has been converted into silage which will be of considerable value next winter for the feeding of dairy stock.