Mr. De la Bèreasked the Minister of Agriculture whether, in respect of the Nunnery farm, adjoining the Spetchley Road, which has been bought by the Worcester Corporation, he will take some steps to ensure that this farm, which is derelict and covered with weed, is dealt with so as to eliminate any damage being caused to neighbouring farms by the unkempt state of this farm?
224W
Mr. HudsonI am informed that although the Worcester corporation signed a contract for the purchase of this farm last November, the purchase has not yet been completed owing to the death of the owner. With the consent of the trustees for the estate, the corporation ploughed and cropped 48 acres of grassland. Some part of this land is infested with thistles and docks, and immediate action is being taken by the corporation to pull the docks and cut the thistles. The corporation have asked the Worcestershire War Agricultural Executive Committee to serve an order on the trustees to destroy the weeds growing on some other parts of the farm. Steps will be taken to ensure that the action is effective. I understand that the farm is not by any means derelict, and it is an exaggeration to say that it is covered with weed.