§ Mr. MORRELLasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture whether the Board are taking any steps to provide land for Mr. Williams, of South Marston, Wilts, who was ejected from his home by his landlord, Mr. Snook, in consequence of his having made an application for land under the Small Holdings Act; and whether, in view of the scandal that has been caused by this and other similar cases, the Government will introduce legislation to deal with the matter?
§ Mr. RICHARD LAMBERTasked whether the Board are taking any steps to provide land for Mr. Williams, who was evicted from his cottage at South Marston by Mr. Snook in consequence of his having applied for land under the 1025 Small Holdings Act; and whether, in view of this and other similar cases, the Government propose to introduce legislation to deal with the matter?
§ Sir E. STRACHEYThe Board will certainly do everything in their power in favour of Mr. Williams, whose ejectment by his landlord, Mr. Snook, is admittedly due to political considerations, and deserves the condemnation of every fair-minded man. We propose to send an inspector down to interview Mr. Williams with a view to ascertain to what extent his requirements can be satisfied by the provision either of a small holding or an allotment. The difficulty is that in this case it is a house that is wanted, and that land is a matter of secondary consideration.
§ Mr. HARRY LAWSONOn what grounds is this charge founded?
§ Sir E. STRACHEYIt is founded on reports made to the Board.
§ Mr. ASHLEYBy whom were the reports made?
§ Mr. W. R. PEELWas any admission made by the landowner himself, or is it simply an inference drawn by the hon. Member on certain statements made?
§ Sir E. STRACHEYAs I have already informed the House on a previous occasion, the admission was made by Mr. Snook himself that he evicted this man on account of political considerations.
§ Mr. KILBRIDEMay I ask whether any action will be taken against Mr. Snook for preventing Mr. Williams from doing an act which he had a legal right to do, namely, to apply for a small holding?
§ Sir E. STRACHEYAs I have already stated, the Board will send their Commissioner to inquire into the whole matter before action will be taken.
§ Viscount HELMSLEYIf this action was due to political considerations, will the right hon. Gentleman consider the advisability of putting in force the Corrupt Practices Act?
§ Mr. BYLESIf it is so easy to get rid of a tenant, can no steps be taken to facilitate getting rid of a landlord?
§ Mr. MORRELLasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture whether he can give any further information as to the circumstances under which Mr. Charles Gillow, of Carnforth, in 1026 Lancashire, a local landlord, is about to evict from his home and thereby inflict loss and inconvenience on James Gardner, who has occupied the cottage by himself or his family for over twenty years; whether the Board are satisfied that the notice to quit was sent by Mr. Gillow shortly after James Gardner had applied for six acres of land under the Small Holdings Act, and at a time when Mr. Gillow first learnt that a portion of his own land had been selected by the Assistant Commissioner for Lancashire as the most suitable land; and whether, in view of the strong presumption that this action by Mr. Gillow is a deliberate attempt to defeat and discredit the working of the Act, the Board are prepared to take any action in the matter?
§ Mr. HARRY LAWSONOn a point of Order, may I ask whether we are to understand that it is legitimate and proper that charges of this sort should be made against those who have had no opportunity of stating their case, and against whom the evidence is only presumptive?
§ Mr. MORRELLBefore any reply is made, may I call your attention to the fact that it has been already stated in this House that Mr. Gillow's eviction of his tenant was due to the tenant's application for land under the Small Holdings Act?
§ Mr. W. R. PEELIs it not the fact that statements made in this House are not evidence against anybody?
Mr. DEPUTY-SPEAKERThe hon. Member asks me whether it is proper or not to put down a question making charges against an individual. I have looked at this question, and think it is in order.
§ Sir E. STRACHEYI refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him on the subject yesterday.
§ Mr. MORRELLMay I ask whether the Board does admit or does not admit the report of their own Special Commissioner that the action of the landlord was due to the tenant having applied for land under the Small Holdings Act?
§ Sir E. STRACHEYI gave a very full answer yesterday.
§ Mr. MORRELLMay I ask whether he is aware that this matter was brought to the notice of the Board a week ago, and have they satisfied themselves that the report of their own Commissioner was accurate, or have they not?
§ Sir E. STRACHEYAs I informed my hon. Friend yesterday, it has been brought to our notice, and we are sending down a Special Commissioner to inquire into the whole subject.
§ Mr. MORRELLIf the report is found to be accurate, are the Government prepared to give the unfortunate man who is being evicted to-day compensation for that loss?