HC Deb 05 December 1949 vol 470 cc133-4W
Mr. Vane

asked the Minister of Agriculture how much land he has taken over from the Forestry Commission, the Service Departments, the Ministry of Works, and the Ministry of Supply, respectively, since July, 1945.

Mr. T. Williams

Under the Forestry Act, 1945, all land in England and Wales formerly vested in the Forestry Commissioners became vested in me and land subsequently acquired under that Act is also vested in me. The greater part of these lands has been placed at the disposal of the Forestry Commissioners, but about 30,000 acres have been retained for agricultural use and are under the control of the Agricultural Land Commisison.

No properties have yet been transferred to me by orders under Section 88 of the Agriculture Act, 1947, from the other Departments, but in anticipation of orders I have taken over from the Air Ministry the management of thirty-four redundant airfields comprising about 14,000 acres. I am in addition still managing about 90,000 acres of requisitioned land on behalf of the Service Departments.

Mr. Vane

asked the Minister of Agriculture how much land he has taken over to date under subsections (1) and (2) of Section 85 of the Agriculture Act, 1947.

Mr. T. Williams

None.