§ Mr. MORRELLI beg to ask the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture a question of which I have given him private notice, whether his attention has been called to the case of James Gardner of Crag Foot, near Carnforth, in Lancashire, who has received notice from his landlord Mr. Charles Gillow to quit his cottage immediately after applying for land under the Small Holdings Act, although he has regularly paid his rent, and there is apparently no reason other than the application under the Small Holdings Act for the eviction which is threatened; whether the Inspector of the Board has investigated the case and what steps the Board propose to take?
§ Sir E. STRACHEYMy attention was only drawn to this matter last week, and from inquiry I find that the Board have received a report on this subject from the Special Commissioner for Small Holdings for Lancashire. From the report it would appear as if the notice was given in consequence of Mr. Gardner's application for a small holding. Mr. Gardner has withdrawn his application for a small holding, but if he applies again to the county council for a small holding the Commissioner for the North of England will himself go down and inquire into the case at once.
§ Mr. HADDOCKWill the hon. Baronet make further inquiries in view of the fact that notice to quit was given before the landlord knew that the tenant had applied for a small holding?
§ Mr. MORRELLIs the hon. Baronet aware that this man applied on December 22nd, and that notice to quit his cottage was given on January 6th?
§ Sir E. STRACHEYIn reply to my hon. Friend (Mr. Morrell) I think it is as he states. In reply to the hon. Member (Mr. Haddock), of course the whole question will be inquired into by the Commissioner when he goes down.