HC Deb 09 July 1953 vol 517 c99W
1. Mr. G. Williams

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he has considered using common land, in suitable circumstances, for agricultural purposes.

Sir T. Dugdale

As the law stands at present the agricultural use of common land is severely restricted. Certain commons, requisitioned under emergency powers, will be retained under cultivation for as long as those powers continue. Apart from this there is little initiative which the law allows me to take. It is, however, open to persons with an interest in a common to co-operate over the improvement of the grazing, and I hope that this will be done in many places.