§ Mr. R. GWYNNEasked the President of the Board of Agriculture whether the war agricultural committees are giving orders to farmers to break up grass land; whether they have the power to specify which particular field or fields on each holding should be broken up or whether it is left to the discretion of the occupier; and. if the former, under what Statute or Order in Council are these powers exercised?
§ Sir R. WINFREY:The County War Agricultural Executive Committees are empowered under the Cultivation of Lands Order, 1917 (No. 3) and Regulation 2 M of the Defence of the Realm Regulations to issue directions as to the manner in which land should be cultivated. The committees are instructed to carry out their duties by agreement with the owners and occupiers of the land, but, in the last resort, they have the power to specify which fields should be broken up, if in their opinion it is necessary in the national interest.