§ Mr. Lawsonasked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that fields now growing wheat and various crops are being advertised for sale as sites for factories by the side of the North Eastern Railway, and reaching for miles North of London; and whether, in view of the urgent need for preserving our food resources, he can take steps to stop such industrialising of agricultural land?
§ Sir R. Dorman-SmithI have been asked to reply. It is quite customary for owners of land adjoining railways which is at present used for agricultural purposes, to advertise that sites are available for factories, particularly where the railway companies offer facilities for sidings. There is, so far as I am aware, no power to prevent the development of agricultural land in consequence.