HC Deb 23 February 1943 vol 387 cc19-20
34. Mr. Neil Maclean

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is prepared to relax the statutory requirement of the Small Landholders Act requiring a landholder to cultivate his holding by himself or his family in view of the large number of smallholders who are serving in the Forces and whose families are either in the Forces or are engaged in essential war work, as the continued application of that condition during the war will impose a hardship upon those holders who cannot meantime carry out the condition; and what other steps he is taking to safeguard the rights of those who are serving the country in other spheres of action?

Mr. Johnston

I am not aware of any case in which a landlord has sought to dispossess a landholder on the ground of absence on war or other essential national service. If there were any evidence of a need to protect landholders from hardship in the circumstances mentioned, I should certainly consider immediate action.

Mr. Maclean

Will the Secretary of State get in touch with the Chairman of the Land Court, who might give him some instances where these matters have already arisen and where it is very awkward for him to deal with them owing to the hardships that are imposed upon these families?

Mr. Johnston

Certainly, I will make inquiries of the Chairman of the Land Court to see whether any evidence of this kind is available.