§ 37. Sir R. Glynasked the Secretary of State for Air whether farmers and others on whose land wartime obstructions have been erected by the R.A.F. can now remove these poles, indication marks, brick stores, concrete foundations, etc.; how much is still being paid as rental for these objects; and why they have not been removed, in order to improve agricultural work and restore amenities.
§ Mr. P. Noel-BakerWe have no wish to keep constructions of this kind on agricultural land longer than we can help, but it would not be right for them to be taken away where the eventual use of the local airfield land is still uncertain. Even when that has been decided, the Works Services are at present generally short of labour and plant to carry out the removal themselves. On the other hand, some farmers have asked for it to be postponed 55W to avoid disturbing crops. We have, of course, no objection to the work being done privately wherever land is derequisitioned or where we have said the war work is no longer needed. Compensation is then paid for the removal. As for the second part of the Question, I regret that figures are not available to show the cost of these rents separately from our general payments for land.