§ 1. Brigadier Raynerasked the Minister of Town and Country Planning whether he can give an estimate of the amount of agricultural land which it will be necessary to use during the next decade if the present plans for the building of schools, new towns, special roads and other non-agricultural activities are brought into effect as planned.
§ The Minister of Town and Country Planning (Mr. Silkin)On the information at present available it is impracticable to make an estimate of the kind desired. Some assessment of the amount of agricultural land likely to be used for other purposes may be possible when local planning authorities have submitted their development plans under the Town and Country Planning Act, 1947.
§ Brigadier RaynerWhile thanking the right hon. Gentleman for his reply, may I ask whether he will bear in mind that as priorities pile up under the present administration it becomes urgently necessary to conserve every possible yard of ground for food production?
§ Mr. SilkinThat, of course, is always urgently necessary, and I will constantly bear it in mind.