Mr. De la Bère:

asked the Minister of Town and Country Planning whether, arising out of the acute dollar crisis and the need for increased home production from the land, he will now give an assurance that no productive agricultural land will be sacrificed for development while suitable land of an inferior value is still; available.

It has always been the aim of my right hon. Friend to ensure that productive agricultural land is not lost to agriculture wherever that can be avoided.

Mr. De la Bère:

May we take it that in practice it will be avoided?

It will be avoided where it is possible to do so, by consultation among the principal officers of the Ministry of Agriculture, my own Ministry and the planning authorities.

Is the Minister aware that I have particulars of a clear case of agricultural land being used for an aerodrome?

If the hon. Gentleman has such a case in mind and will give me details I shall be glad to have it investigated.