Mr. STANLEY WILSONasked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he is aware that Mr. Edward Clark, who was dispossessed of his holding on the Crown estates at Welwick, East Yorks, at the instigation of the President of the Board of Agriculture, has been refused compensation for disturbance; and on what grounds has the refusal been made?
§ The FINANCIAL SECRETARY to the TREASURY (Mr. Hobhouse)As my predecessor explained in reply to a question on 1st April, 1908, except in cases to which the Agricultural Holdings Act may apply, there is no statutory obligation under any Acts of Parliament upon the Commissioners of Woods to compensate persons to whom they may be unable to grant renewed leases or annual tenancies (as in this case) nor has it ever been customary for them to make such persons compensation.
Mr. STANLEY WILSONMay I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he is aware that the President of the Board of Agriculture told Lord Onslow that he thought the case ought to be compensated, and that he should recommend it for compensation? Has the right hon. Gentleman received that recommendation?
§ Mr. HOBHOUSENo, Sir; not to the best of my knowledge.
Mr. STANLEY WILSONWould a private landowner be allowed to treat a private tenant in the way the Crown have treated this man?
§ Mr. HOBHOUSEI am not familiar with the case, but I know a great number of landlord's who have treated their tenants very badly. [HON. MEMBERS: "Name, name."]