HC Deb 20 March 1911 vol 23 cc2-4
Mr. RICHARD LAMBERT

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture whether the Board have yet completed their inquiries into the case of Henry Williams, of South Marston, in Wilts, who was evicted from his house by landlord, Mr. Snook, in consequence of the action he took in applying for land under the Small Holdings Act; what the result of those inquiries has been; and what action the Board propose to take?

The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the BOARD of AGRICULTURE (Sir E. Strachey)

An inquiry has been made by an inspector of the Board. Mr. H. Williams it would appear was evicted because of his alleged misconduct at a Small Holdings Inquiry and a Tariff Reform meeting at South Marston. No further action can be taken as Mr. Williams is unable to pay a sufficient rent for a house and one acre of land so as to insure the parish council against any loss.

Sir FREDERICK BANBURY

asked the Parliamentary-Secretary to the Board of Agriculture whether he was aware that at a meeting held by the Board in South Marston, Wilts, about two years ago, the official of the Board presiding twice stopped Mr. Williams in his remarks, and that it was after this meeting that the farmer, Mr. Snook, gave Williams notice to leave his cottage; whether he is aware that Williams never occupied any land, and that his demand was not for land but to have a cottage built for him; and whether the Board refused to comply with this request after hearing all the facts at the, meeting alluded to; and if he was aware that Williams had only occupied the cottage for eleven months?

Sir E. STRACHEY

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative and to the second part in the affirmative. The application made by Mr. Williams was for one acre and a house, and the application was refused because Mr. Williams was not willing to pay a rent sufficient to insure the parish council against loss.

Sir F. BANBURY

Am I to understand that the farmer, Mr. Snook, is free from all blame?

Sir E. STRACHEY

No, certainly not. He admits himself the eviction was owing to a political consideration.

Sir F. BANBURY

Oh, no. [HON. MEMBERS: "Order."] Hon. Members have not heard what I have got to say. May I ask the hon. Gentleman whether the cause of eviction was not the disorderly conduct of Mr. Williams at parochial and other meetings, especially the meeting held by the Board on 16th June, 1909; whether the eviction notice was not given on 22nd June, 1909, and whether it was not stated in the eviction notice that it was given in consequence of disorderly conduct?

Sir E. STRACHEY

Mr. Snook, as I have already said, admitted he gave notice to Mr. Williams, on the ground that he did not like his conduct at a political meeting—a Tariff Reform meeting.

Sir F. BANBURY

May I ask whether the notice was not in these terms: "In consequence of your bad conduct at the last two meetings in this parish, I herewith give you notice to leave the house," and whether the last two meetings were not the meetings held by the officials of the hon. Gentleman and an open meeting held in the parish?

Mr. MORRELL

Before the hon. Gentleman replies, may I ask whether he is aware that this man who has been evicted is a native of South Marston, is a first-class Army Reservist who served with credit through the siege of Ladysmith and the rest of the South African war, that he was awarded a medal with four clasps, and that he was given a certificate of exemplary character when he was transferred to the Reserve?

Sir E. STRACHEY

With regard to the question of the hon. Member for Burnley, I think the facts are as stated; and, as regards the question of the hon. Gentleman, it is quite true, as Mr. Snook said, that it was in consequence of his conduct at a Small Holdings Inquiry and at a Tariff Reform Meeting. The Commissioners did not complain of his conduct at the Small Holdings Inquiry in the way Mr. Snook said they did. There was nothing really objectionable in what took place. I am not aware what took place at the Tariff Reform Meeting.

Mr. WILLIAM REDMOND

May I ask the hon. Gentleman whether the indignation with regard to this matter is not so great in the neighbourhood that the people have resolved not to take this farm?

Mr. ALEXANDER SCOTT

May I ask whether this took place in Ireland?