§ 51. Mr. Dyeasked the Minister of Agriculture whether he has been able to make arrangements with the Secretary of State for War so that the whole of the land suitable for cultivation in the safety belt surrounding the Stanford battle training area can be brought into cultivation this year; and whether land uncultivated in neighbouring villages and used for tank training during the war can also be cultivated for food production this year.
§ Mr. T. WilliamsThe War Department has given permission for about 2,000 acres, or practically the whole of the cultivable land within the safety belt of the Stanford battle training area, to be cultivated this year. As to the second part of the Question, about half the total area at Thetford used for tank training during the war has been released by the War Department. There are no restrictions on the cultivation of suitable land within some four-fifths of the present area, since the War Department merely exercise training rights over this part of the area under emergency powers. Over 2,000 acres the remaining area, which is held on requisition under Defence Regulation 51, have been made available for food production this year.