§ 48. Mr. Hurdasked the Minister of Agriculture, if he has now decided to seek the advice of county agricultural executive committes before agreeing to the alienation of farm land for new towns or other non-agricultural development; and if he will consult the Berkshire County Agricultural Executive Committee about the proposed development at Thatcham.
Mr. T. WilliamsCounty agricultural executive committees will be consulted in future on development proposals involving substantial areas of agricultural land. If the proposal for developments at Thatcham matures, the Berkshire Committee will be consulted under this arrangement before any decision is taken.
§ Mr. HurdCould the Minister say what reason induced him to abandon consultations with committees during the past three months?
Mr. WilliamsI am not at all sure that we did abandon consultations with committees, except in the case of small bits of land here and there, where there is no necessity to consult county committees.
§ Mr. Emrys RobertsDoes the Minister's reply indicate that county agricultural executive committees will now be consulted in all proposals for afforestation?
Mr. WilliamsIf it is a question of the diversion of a large area of land county executive committees will be consulted.