HC Deb 09 December 1943 vol 395 cc1132-3
54. Mr. Clement Davies

asked the Minister of Agriculture what inquiries has he made with regard to the cases of two farmers named Mr. Edwards and Mr. Williams in the area of Llanfyllin, Montgomeryshire, who, as he is aware, were given notice last March by their landlord to quit their respective farms next March; and what action has he taken or does he propose to take with regard thereto?

Mr. Hudson

At my request the county war agricultural executive committee have considered the circumstances of these two cases very carefully and have advised me that they can find no grounds on which they would be justified in seeking my con- sent to their taking possession of the farms in order to retain the sitting tenants in occupation. It is understood that the object of the landlords in giving the notice to quit is to farm the lands themselves and there is no reason to anticipate that the lands under their control will be less productive than under that of the sitting tenant.

Mr. Davies

Is my right hon. Friend aware that these two farmers have an excellent reputation both as farmers and as food producers, and, secondly, that they and their families before them have been in occupation of these farms in one case for 100 years and in the other case for 67 years, and that now they are to be turned out, which is causing a great deal of anxiety and dissatisfaction?

Mr. Hudson

Yes, Sir, but under the existing law the only case I have for intervening is in respect of food production, and I am satisfied that in this particular case there is no reason to suppose that the production of food will be interfered with by these transfers.

Mr. Moelwyn Hughes

Is it not a fact that there is a lack of security for tenant farmers to-day, and would not the Government consider introducing legislation to make their tenure safer?

Mr. Hudson

The question of tenure is one of the questions which will be discussed by the Secretary of State for Scotland and myself with the various branches of the industry, when we are considering transitional and long-term agricultural policies.

Mr. Davies

Does my right hon. Friend know that these two farmers know their land thoroughly, while the new landlord who is proposing to take possession has had no experience whatever of these farms?

Mr. Sloan

Is the Minister aware that his answer is just the sort of trifling answer I received from the Secretary of State for Scotland in a similar matter which I brought before him?

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