§ Sir A. LISTERasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Munitions whether a farm of about 200 acres at Quedgley, about three miles from the City of Gloucester, which was acquired under the Defence of the Realm Act for the purposes of a munition factory, is still being held by his Department, to the loss and detriment of the owner of this land, who is being paid a rent which is much below its market value; and whether he is aware that the owner of this land cannot get any satisfactory reply to his letters?
Mr. HOPE:Part of the property in question is at present utilised as an ammunition breaking down depot, and I regret that at the moment I am unable to say when it will be possible to release it. The remaining portion of this property comprising some six fields has been sub-let to the Gloucester Agriculture Executive Committee for training discharged officers, and I understand that the Committee are at present negotiating with a view to renting the property direct. The Ministry will gladly concur in such an arrangement.