§ 31. Mr. Charles Morrisonasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the machinery of consultation with other Government Departments concerning the loss of agricultural land for development purposes.
§ Mr. PeartMy Department is consulted on all development proposals involving the use of more than a very few acres of agricultural land. The procedure for consultation differs to some extent according to the type of development proposed. If the hon. Member would like details I will be glad to write to him.
§ Mr. MorrisonCan the right hon. Gentleman say what encouragement he gives to other Departments to make use of nonproductive rather than agricultural land for development, and does he believe that we shall be able to maintain the present proportion of home-produced food as the 1711 population increases and as the development of good land continues?
§ Mr. PeartWe always have close consultation, and I always stress to other Departments that where possible they should not use good agricultural land. On the other hand, there may be instances when the national interest must come first, for obvious reasons, but we always have this consultation.
§ Mr. HawkinsWas the right hon. Gentleman consulted over the taking of land for the proposed aerodrome at Stansted, and if he was, what advice did he give?
§ Mr. PeartI was consulted. It is not for me to reveal the content of private discussions with my colleagues, but I stress what I have said earlier in reply to previous questions.
§ Mr. SpeakerMr. Farr.
§ Mr. SpeakerThere is no need for the hon. Member to repeat it.
§ Mr. Patrick JenkinWill the right hon. Gentleman confirm that his Department was not represented on the inter-departmental Committee which reported on Stansted Aerodrome in 1964? Is he aware that of the 15 members, 13 represented aircraft interests, and only two represented other Departments?
§ Mr. PeartI do not think that I appointed that Committee, but I have always been consulted about this.