HC Deb 06 February 1941 vol 368 c1076
49. Mr. Jackson

asked the Minister of Agriculture what action he proposes to take to put a stop to the attempts made by certain landlords to prevent the creation of agricultural tenancies by granting holdings of 364 days or less; and will he give powers to war agricultural executive committees to terminate any such holdings should they consider such a course desirable?

Mr. Hudson

The grant and acceptance of tenancies of agricultural land for 364 days or less cannot be prevented, but it in any particular case it appears that the holding of land on so short a tenancy is detrimental to food production, I shall be glad to consider, in consultation with the County War Agricultural Executive Committee, whether the powers already available to those committees under the Defence Regulations should be exercised in order to ensure occupation of the land by a suitable tenant for a period not less than that of the present emergency.