§ 48. Mr. John Morrisonasked the Minister of Agriculture the result of his consultations with the War Department and the Ministry of Supply in regard to the representations made to him by the Wiltshire Agricultural Executive Committee, National Farmers' Union and farmers concerned in regard to agricultural production and tank training in the Salisbury Plain area.
§ Mr. MorrisonWill the right hon. Gentleman give a clear lead to the farmers concerned about this year's cultivation? Will he also remember that the only real solution is that the Ministry of Supply bombing range, at present sterilising a great part of the tank training area, should be removed to allow tanks to train on the area?
Mr. WilliamsI believe that a conference representing all the interests, including those of my Department, is being convened to discuss the whole problem.
§ Mr. R. V. GrimstonWhen does the right hon. Gentleman think he will be able to report on this matter? Does he realise that as recently as January farmers were being encouraged to work on this land, whereas it was known in the War Department in October that it would be required for tank use?
Mr. WilliamsI hope that the conference to which I have referred will be taking place fairly shortly.