Court Farm, Stoke Orchard (Hansard, 21 March 1949)

§ 60. Mr. Baldwin
asked the Minister of Agriculture when it is proposed to return Court Farm, Stoke Orchard, Gloucestershire, at present farmed by the county agricultural executive committee, to the owner.

§ Mr. G. Brown
As I said in answer to the previous Question, all requisitioned land is being reviewed to enable my right hon. Friend to decide whether it should be derequisitioned or purchased. A decision in respect of Court Farm has not yet been reached.

§ Mr. Baldwin
Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the county committee advised the Minister that this land should be given back to the owner by 25th March and asked the owner to make his arrangements, but that the Minister did not agree?

§ Mr. Brown
As I am advised, the hon. Gentleman is all wrong. The matter is still being considered with regard to the whole area, of which Court Farm forms only a small part. A decision cannot be reached about Court Farm until we have a decision about the whole area.

§ Mr. Baldwin
Is the hon. Gentleman aware that much requisitioned land has been handed back; that in this case the county committee advised the Minister that it should be handed back by 25th March; that the farm was semi-derelict and that steps have now been taken by the owner to put it in order, but that the advice to hand it back has been countermanded by the Minister of Agriculture?

§ Mr. Brown
The Gloucester county committee is considering the future use of a large area of land in the Gotherington district of which Court Farm is a part. Contrary to what the hon. Gentleman continually asserts, we have not yet received advice as to the future use of the whole block of land. I emphasise that. Until we get that decision, obviously it would be wrong to decide about any one part of the land.

§ Mr. Baldwin
I beg to give notice that I propose to raise this matter on the Adjournment as soon as possible.