HC Deb 05 June 1951 vol 488 cc798-9
26. Mr. Malcolm MacPherson

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland in what sense the interests of good husbandry are served by the re-seeding to permanent pasture of ploughed-up policy parks.

Mr. T. Fraser

The practice of re-seeding to pasture land which has been through a course of cropping is a recognised method of maintaining fertility and keeping land in good heart. The question whether such pasture should be permanent or temporary can only be decided in relation to the particular circumstances of any specific piece of land.

Mr. MacPherson

In view of the decline in the tillage area and in the rotational grass area and the Department's continual insistence on an improvement in the tillage area, does not my hon. Friend consider that it is necessary to make some inroads on the already large permanent grass area?

Mr. Fraser

Yes, indeed, Sir. Considerable inroads have been made upon the permanent grass areas, and policy parks have to make their contribution, but each individual case has to be considered on its merits and in relation to the agricultural land of which it forms a part.