1 Lord Taylor of Blackburn debates involving the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Agriculture: Farming

Lord Taylor of Blackburn Excerpts
Tuesday 22nd March 2011

(13 years, 9 months ago)

Lords Chamber
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Lord Henley Portrait Lord Henley
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My Lords, I was not aware that there was a very low take-up. I shall consider what my noble friend has said and write to her in due course.

Lord Taylor of Blackburn Portrait Lord Taylor of Blackburn
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My Lords, I realise that the Minister has little power over local government, but what about the Prison Service and the National Health Service, which have been selling off farming land, where he has got some control?

Lord Henley Portrait Lord Henley
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My Lords, I realise that on this occasion I speak not only for Defra but for the entire Government. However, the noble Lord will appreciate that I have not been briefed on the problems of the National Health Service and the Prison Service. I shall make sure that I come to the House properly briefed in future and can deal with the question of agricultural land being sold off by those bodies should the question arise.