HC Deb 06 March 1911 vol 22 c833
Mr. PHILIP MORRELL

I beg to ask the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture a question of which I have given him private notice, namely, whether he has anything further to report in the case of James Gardiner, of Carnforth, in Lancashire, who is to be evicted to-morrow in consequence of his having applied for land under the Small Holdings Act?

Sir E. STRACHEY

I only got notice of the question as I was coming to the House, and all I can say is that I will inquire into it. Of course, if the facts are as stated in the question, the action taken by the landlord is strongly to be deprecated.

Mr. MORRELL

May I ask whether the hon. Gentleman accepts the report of his own Special Commissioner that the action of the landlord is in consequence of the application for land under the Small Holdings Act?

Sir E. STRACHEY

I have nothing to add to the answer I have already given to the hon. Member.

Mr. MORRELL

May I ask whether the Government will consider the question of giving compensation to a man who has suffered loss and hardship in consequence of having availed himself of the provisions of their own Act?

Sir E. STRACHEY

I think my hon. Friend will see that I cannot answer that question straight off. As I have already informed him, this action, if as stated in the question, ought to be very strongly condemned.