§ Mr. ELLIS DAVIESasked the President of the Local Government Board whether, in view of the desirability of ascertaining the extent of waste land which could be reclaimed and cultivated, he will consider the desirability of asking the county councils to make a report on all such land within their areas?
§ Mr. ACLANDThe Board of Agriculture have already in their possession particulars of the more important stretches of waste land in the country which might be susceptible of reclamation. About a year ago they issued a circular to the War Agricultural Committees suggesting that such Committees should consider whether any steps might be taken to secure that land at present lying waste should be brought into cultivation. In this connection, my hon. Friend will, of course, realise that it is not possible at the present time to proceed with schemes of reclamation, because of the limited supply of labour available, which does not do more than permit of the land already in cultivation being kept under crops.