HC Deb 05 July 1951 vol 489 cc2489-90
55. Mr. Vane

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he will give an assurance that as a general rule he will not give clearance to local authorities or other Government Departments intending to acquire agricultural land for non-agricultural purposes without first consulting the owner of the land concerned.

Mr. Champion

No, Sir. My Department is consulted in these matters in order that the agricultural implications of particular proposals may be fully studied by my officers from the point of view of the broad national interest. My right hon. Friend does not think it would be appropriate at this stage to seek the views of the owners of the land, who will of course have ample opportunities of making their views known before any land is actually acquired.

Mr. Vane

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that that answer is most unsatisfactory, and that however wise his officials may be they cannot be arriving at a decision with the full evidence unless they know the plans of the owner and perhaps those of the occupier of the piece of land? Will he ask his right hon. Friend to look into this again in the light of that submission?

Mr. Champion

I will certainly bring to the notice of my right hon. Friend the representation which has been made, but the Ministry of Agriculture must look at this from the broad national interest rather than the interest of the owners.

Mr. Remnant

Will the hon. Member consult his colleagues to see if the Ministry could at least inform the owner that it is their intention to take over the land?

Mr. Champion

When there is intention to acquire, notice will, of course, be served upon the owner.

Colonel Gomme-Duncan

Will the hon. Gentleman bear in mind that in the past a very large amount of land has been wasted and that unnecessary expense has been incurred because Departments have not consulted those who have had long experience in these matters and whose advice would have been of great value?

Mr. Vane

Will not the hon. Gentleman agree that "the broad national interest," as he put it, cannot possibly be served unless the official making the decision knows all the factors concerned in the case and that the plans of the owner must be an important factor?

Mr. Champion

I have already said that I will bring that aspect of the matter to the notice of my right hon. Friend.