§ 42. Mr. DAVID GRENFELLasked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware of the grievances of certain Crown tenants at Seaside, Llanelly, Carmarthenshire, where land upon which 68 houses have been erected is let upon a lease due to expire in March next, but has now been leased by the Commissioners of Crown Lands to another lessee without giving an opportunity to the present tenants to continue their tenancy; and whether he will receive a deputation to enable the tenants to submit their complaints to him before they are compelled to suffer eviction, which is threatened when their present leases come to an end?
§ Sir J. GILMOURThe occupiers of these houses are tenants not of the Crown but in some cases of the Crown Lessees and in others of middlemen. The Crown Lease is not due to expire until October, 1953. The Commissioners of Crown Lands have no power to intervene between the lessees and the tenants. This has been fully explained to a very great number of deputations, including five in the last 10 months, received by my predecessors and the Permanent Commissioner. I am satisfied that no useful purpose would be served by my receiving another deputation.
§ Mr. GRENFELLIs the right hon. Gentleman not aware that middlemen have come in between his Department and the tenants of the Crown who occupy Crown lands, and that the tenants will be put on the road in March next?
§ Sir J. GILMOURAs I stated in my answer, the occupiers of these houses are not tenants of the Crown.
§ Mr. GRENFELLIs it not a fact that the middlemen take a lease on these 38 houses from next year till 1934, and they are given power to evict these men in March next unless they accept their terms, and take on a fresh lease?
§ Sir J. GILMOURAs I explained in my answer, my predecessor has already seen a large number of deputations on this question, and I see no use in reopening the question.
§ Mr. GRENFELLWill not the Minister himself receive a deputation, when I am sure he will be convinced of the grave injustice being done to these people?
§ Sir J. GILMOURI can assure the hon. Member that I have gone very closely into the whole question, and I can give no further answer than that which I have given.