§ Mr. BLAIRasked the Financial Secretary to the War Office if he is aware that 93 acres of arable land near Northwood, Herts, some of which was already sown, were taken by the military two months ago for a certain purpose when a golf course and large private park were only separated from this plough land by a 1652W roadway; and, in view of the value of arable land, if it should be necessary to take more land he will give instructions that golf courses and pasture land shall preferably be used for this purpose?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONAn alternative site has now been found on land of but little agricultural value. The subsoil of the golf course was of such a nature as to preclude The use of the latter for the purpose. I can assure my hon. Friend that every endeavour is made to avoid the use of arable land for military purpose, but it is not always possible to find a suitable alternative.