§ VISCOUNT LONGMy Lords, I beg leave to ask the question of His Majesty's Government which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
§ [The question was as follows:
§ To ask His Majesty's Government, the total acreage released up to date for agricultural purposes within the Imber training area and, further, whether His 126 Majesty's Government can state as to the condition of the crops grown on this land since it was released.]
§ THE PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY, MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FISHEREES (THE EARL OF HUNTINGDON)My Lords, the total acreage released up to date from the Imber Training Area by the War Department is 3,066 acres. The condition of the crops is considered to be average for this type of land.
§ VISCOUNT LONGMy Lords, I thank the noble Lord for his reply. In view of the contradictory statement the noble Earl has made in regard to crops compared with the statement made last year by the noble Lord who answered for the War Office, who informed your Lordships that this land was unsuitable for crops, would he cause a further investigation to be made to see whether more acres could not be released especially in view of tie urgent necessity of getting more food in this country?
§ THE EARL OF HUNTINGDONI will certainly look into the question.