§ Major Digbyasked the Secretary of State for War for how much longer it is anticipated that it will be necessary to schedule agricultural land under Defence Regulation 52 for the training of troops, having regard to the difficulty experienced by farmers in such areas in arranging to protect their livestock and preventing widespread damage to crops and hedges.
§ Mr. LawsonI regret I cannot make any reliable forecast at present. In view of the continuing intake into the Army, the need of land for training will also continue, though I hope to a diminishing extent as time goes on. Land is already being released in proportion to the reduction of troops under training in this country. As far as possible land of low agricultural value is being retained and high class farming land released, though this policy cannot always be applied.
§ Major Digbyasked the Secretary of State for War whether, having respect to the widespread damage to livestock and crops, caused by troops in agricultural areas which have been scheduled for training purposes, he is prepared, now that the war is over, to consider more generously claims for compensation from landowners and farmers who have suffered in this respect.
§ Mr. LawsonCompensation is paid on anex gratiabasis for the actual damage sustained by farmers on land over which training rights have been exercised. Complaints as to the compensation so paid are rare, and if they do arise they are given full consideration.