§ 22. Mr. C. Johnsonasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what progress has been made in the sale of commons acquired by his Department under Section 85 of the Agriculture Act, 1947; and what steps are taken to see that when disposed of these ex-commons are protected from undesirable development.
Mr. VaneNineteen commons, comprising 2,259 acres were acquired under Section 85. Of these five, comprising 866 acres, have been sold; ten, comprising 918 acres, are in process of being sold; and the future of the remaining four, comprising 475 acres, has not yet been decided.
My right hon. Friend has no powers to control the future use of these former commons, which are now ordinary freehold. The Ministry is in close touch with the Commons, Open Spaces and Footpaths Preservation Society and my right hon. Friend, the Minister of Housing and Local Government, has arranged that his Ministry will inform the Society of any applications for development which may affect those 58W former commons, to give the Society opportunity to enter formal objections if they wish.