§ 32. Mr. BENSONasked the Minister of Agriculture whether the occupier of certain lands at Barton Stacey complied with the notices served on him in July last to cut and destroy injurious weeds growing on the lands; and, if not, what is the present position of the matter?
§ Mr. N. BUXTONSix notices were served on a Mr. McCreagh, the person who was believed to be entitled to the occupation of the lands in question. These notices were not complied with, and prosecutions were instituted for offences under the Corn Production Acts (Repeal) Act, 1921, before the local Justices, as a result of which a fine of £20 was inflicted on each of six summonses. The Defendant appealed against the convictions on points of law, but his appeals were dismissed with costs by a Divisional 1762 Court on the 26th March last, and the convictions will consequently stand.
§ Mr. BENSONCan the right hon. Gentleman say whether the nuisance has been abated?
§ Mr. BUXTONIf action had to be taken in regard to weeds this year, it certainly would be taken in spite of the expenditure.
§ Viscount LYMINGTONCan the right hon. Gentleman assure us that action will be taken this summer in time to prevent the weeds from spreading all over the countryside?
§ Mr. BUXTONCertainly.