§ Mr. Marshallasked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware that 70 or more years ago, probably more than 50,000 head of sheep, young cattle and hardy Highland cattle, were regularly grazed and pastured on the Peak district and adjacent moorlands, and of the subsequent reduction of this form of grazing to not more than one-tenth of that customary 70 years ago; and, in view of the urgent necessity to utilise all the nation's 731W agricultural resources, will he take the requisite steps at the earliest possible moment to ensure that these 215 square miles of moorlands, and all other wastelands and moorlands of Great Britain are stocked with as many sheep and hardy cattle as they can sustain?
§ Sir R. Dorman-SmithI understand that some of the moorlands referred to are grazed with sheep, provided they are kept under proper supervision at certain times in the year. I will consider, in consultation with the war agricultural executive committees for the counties where these moorlands are situated, what steps can reasonably be taken to ensure that they are utilised to the fullest possible extent for the purpose indicated.