Mr. E. P. Smithasked the Minister of Agriculture if he will place in the Library, for consideration and study by those Members most concerned, copies of all data, recommendations, reports and surveys which bear upon the future agricultural development of the Romney Marsh.
§ Brigadier Mackesonasked the Minister of Agriculture how Members, interested in the future development of Romney Marsh, can ascertain the proposals made, so far, to his Ministry; and if he will send to the Members concerned copies of any reports or recommendations which have been received.
§ Mr. T. WilliamsI have referred the future of Romney Marsh to the Agricultural. Land Commission for consideration under Section 84 of the Agriculture Act, 1947. That Section sets out the procedure which must be followed. In brief, this consists of a survey and investigation by the Commission; the preparation by the Commission of a draft report incorporating a scheme as to the work which seems to them necessary for the full and efficient use of the land for agriculture; the publication of a notice stating where copies of the draft report may be obtained; the hearing and consideration of representations by owners, lessees, or occupiers; and the presentation of a final report to the Minister which he is under a statutory duty to publish.
This procedure will provide a full opportunity for the views of all interested 228W parties to be made known to the Commission, but I shall not be in a position formally to make any information available to hon. Members until I have received the Commission's final report. In the meantime any inquiries should be addressed to the Secretary of the Agricultural Land Commission, 26. Queen Anne's Gate, London, S.W.I.