HC Deb 15 July 1943 vol 391 cc368-9
53. Mr. Loverseed

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether his attention has been drawn to the cases of farmers evicted by county war agricultural executive committees, of which details have been sent to him; and whether, in view of the disquiet caused by these and hundreds of other cases throughout the Kingdom, he will set up for the hearing of such cases and also those of farm workers, tribunals which will assure to all engaged in agriculture a fair hearing of their cases and a right to appeal?

Mr. Hudson

I had already seen the Press reports of the cases alluded to by the hon. Member, and I would refer him to the answer which I gave him on 22nd April last.

Mr. Loverseed

Will the right hon. Gentleman not agree that under the iniquitous method now in force farmers are denied the common justice which any criminal gets, and will he take steps to set up these independent tribunals?

Mr. Hudson

I would not accept any of those implications. I have examined the four cases referred to in the paper and in every one of them the action of the committee is in my opinion justified.

Mr. Loverseed

Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that there are hundreds of other cases throughout the Kingdom, to which I dare say hon. Members could bear witness?

Mr. Hudson

Every case that has been brought to my attention by hon. Members has been personally examined by me and I have not found a case in which the action of the committee was not fully justified.

Mr. Loverseed

Owing to the unsatisfactory nature of the reply I intend to raise the matter on the Adjournment.