Marginal Land

HC Deb 23 March 1950 vol 472 cc2159-60

55. Sir Ian Fraser

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he will now make a statement on the Government's policy as to the better use of marginal land

Mr. T. Williams

As my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary stated in the Debate on the Address on 8th March, an examination is being undertaken of the whole problem of the improvement of marginal land, but I am not yet in a position to make any further statement.

Sir I. Fraser

Could the right hon. Gentleman put in a White Paper or some other document the facts as regards the areas, and the definitions to be used, and which are within the knowledge of his Department, so that this matter may be considered by an informed House?

Mr. Williams

I shall be answering a Question on that later.

59. Brigadier Medlicott

asked the Minister of Agriculture what is the estimated acreage in England and Wales of land generally described as marginal; and the Government's policy on the development and better use of such land

64. Mr. Hugh Fraser

asked the Minister of Agriculture, whether, in view of the Government's pledge to make and encourage fuller use of marginal land, he will now order a survey to be made of land suitable for development and not at present in production

Mr. T. Williams

The acreage of marginal land depends on how the term is defined. Very roughly, I estimate that in England and Wales there are about three million acres of land which is used, or could at reasonable cost be made suitable for use, for the breeding or rearing of cattle or sheep, and which is not suited for the production to any material extent of milk, fatstock or crops for sale. As my bon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary stated in the Debate on the Address on 8th March a survey is being undertaken of the possibility of further measures for the improvement of such marginal land, but I am not yet in a position to say what the outcome may be.

Captain Duncan

What does the right hon. Gentleman mean by "reasonable cost"?

Mr. Williams

Reasonable cost.

Captain. Duncan

But what does it mean?

Mr. Williams

It means—well, reasonable cost.

Sir I. Fraser

Will the right hon. Gentleman, in view of his promise when answering Question 55, now answer my supplementary question and give all the facts?

Mr. Williams

Yes, when the facts are made available to me by the committee that has been investigating this matter for weeks.

Mr. Vane

By whom has this survey been carried out?

Mr. Williams

By civil servants plus a certain number of scientists.

Mr. H. Fraser

Will the right hon. Gentleman make it clearer who are the experts involved, and will he tell the House if he is in touch with the National Farmers' Union, which is making a survey at the moment?

Mr. Williams

If the hon. Gentleman had been in his place one day last week he would have known that I gave the answer to the question he now puts.

Mr. Fraser

The right hon. Gentleman did not give a list of the officials concerned or the experts.

Mr. Williams

I did not give the names of the civil servants, but I did give the names of the scientists.