Brigadier-General PALMERasked the Secretary of State for War if the General Officer Commanding, Southern Command, has issued orders to put back to grass all lands in his command ploughed up during the War; if so, has he acted after consultation with the Minister of Agriculture: and is he aware of the consternation among farmers who, in the interests of the country, put themselves at great expense to grow corn when called upon?
§ Sir L. WORTHINGTON-EVANSThe General Officer Commanding-in-Chief. Southern Command, with the approval of the War Office, has issued orders that a large part of the land referred to is to be relaid to grass. The land is required for training purposes, and is only being put back to grass to the extent necessary to meet these requirements. In most cases, if not in all, the farmers were warned that the land would have to be relaid to grass, and, in consideration of their accepting the liability, the War Department waived any increase of rent.