§ Major Kimballasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what action he has taken with regard to the manoeuvres, including artillery firing, which took place in a certain area, of which he was advised by telegram on 1st September, 186W without previous notice to the tenants and despite the objection of the county war agricultural executive committee, which caused damage to pastures, fences and stock; and whether he will take action to ensure that in all cases the advice of a county committee in Scotland is followed and to prevent the destruction of food?
Mr. JohnstonAs regards the first part of the Question I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to him yesterday by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for War. As regards the second part, full weight is always given to advice tendered by agricultural executive committees; the moorland area affected in the present case, however, was likely to suffer much less damage and disturbance by reason of the manoeuvres than would more productive areas elsewhere, and after full examination of the military authorities' proposal and the objections to it, I did not feel justified in opposing it on agricultural grounds.