§ Sir R. Nugentasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps he has been taking to compensate landowners whose grassland was ploughed up under wartime directions.
§ Mr. SoamesIn general, experience has not shown that the ploughing up which took place under wartime directions has adversely affected the value of farms. The Government have, therefore, never issued a general invitation to submit claims for compensation, and it is not proposed to do so now. Claims have been accepted for several years in respect of non-agricultural land, such as golf courses and playing fields, and of agricultural land which is unsuitable for rotational cropping. Up to date, about £275,000 has been paid in settlement. Only ten such claims have been received in the past five years, and my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland and I consider that the time has come to announce a final date for applications. We wish, therefore, to give notice that the last date on which claims will be accepted will be 31st March, 1961.