HC Deb 31 July 1946 vol 426 cc219-20W
Colonel Clarke

asked the Minister of Agriculture, when the headmaster of Brambletye school, East Grinstead, who has been in negotiation with his Department in regard to rehabilitation of his playing-fields since October, 1943, and was told on 23rd May last that work should commence at an early date, may expect to see a start made.

Mr. T. Williams

The playing fields were not released from cultivation until December, 1945. The work of restoration could have commenced in the late spring, but delay occurred because the owner was unwilling to accept my Department's proposals for reinstatement, and he submitted a claim, the nature of which has necessitated reconsideration of the whole matter. If as a result of further negotiations which are now taking place, it is decided that an agreed amount of restoration work shall be undertaken by the county war agricultural executive committee, such work can commence in the autumn of this year. Alternatively the owner is at liberty to undertake the work of restoration himself, leaving the question of compensation to be settled later.