HC Deb 31 July 1947 vol 441 cc626-7
30. Sir Ian Fraser

asked the Minister of Health what he has done, or proposes to do, in relation to the Barrow-in-Furness (Poaka Beck No. 2) Compulsory Purchase Order, 1946, for the compulsory purchase of about 1,000 acres of agricultural land.

Mr. Bevan

A number of objections to the Order have been received and a public local inquiry will be held into the proposals.

Sir I. Fraser

Will the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind that a number of owners, farmers and farmworkers are very much disturbed at the sterilisation of this land, which is very fruitful land, and will not he consult the Minister of Agriculture before he makes a decision?

Mr. Bevan

All these matters are taken into consideration before a compulsory purchase Order is made. There are always conflicting claims, and that is where some of these difficulties arise. The claims of the Minister of Agriculture, the Minister of Town and Country Planning and the Minister of Health have to be carefully assessed.