§ MR. ALDENI beg to ask the hon. Member for South Somerset, as representing the President of the Board of Agriculture, if his attention has been directed to the fact that on February 16th last Mr. William Hodson and his family were evicted from North Tadworth Farm, Epsom, after a tenancy of twenty-eight years, during which he had established a fruit-growing and jam-making industry, employing many people, as the sequel to litigation concerning his right to protect his plantations by shooting rabbits under
† See (4) Debates, clix., 1380.1066 a special clause in his lease; and whether he can promise legislation, either by affording time for the Land Tenure Bill or otherwise, in order to prevent farmers being deprived of their livelihood in the interests of sport.
§ SIR EDWARD STRACHEYThe circumstances to which my hon. friend refers were brought personally to the notice of my noble friend by Mr. Hodson himself, but I understand that they are likely to form the subject of further legal proceedings, and I cannot therefore express any opinion respecting them. The representations made by Mr. Hodson will be borne in mind when the Land Tenure Bill again comes forward for consideration.