§ 56. Mr. Loverseedasked the Minister of Agriculture by what means a dispossessed owner-farmer may, after a reasonable period, exercise his right as landlord to recover possession of his farm when it becomes apparent that its condition is becoming seriously impaired by the bad husbandry and management of the tenant appointed by the county war agricultural executive committee.
Mr. HudsonA dispossessed owner-farmer has no such right as that suggested by the hon. Member. It is, however, a committee's duty to see that the lands in their possession are properly farmed, and if the hon. Member has any evidence that this is not being done in a particular case, I will have inquiries made, if he will give me the particulars.
§ 57. Mr. Loverseedasked the Minister of Agriculture why county war agricultural executive committees are not required to pay rent quarterly in respect of farms taken over by them from owner-farmers; what interest rates are payable by them on arrears of such rent beyond quarter days, and whether they are entitled to deduct from the sums paid, debts in respect of tithe for which a court order has been obtained against the owner, and the terms of which order as regards repayments have been and are being complied with.
Mr. HudsonThe periods at which compensation is payable in respect of farms of which possession is taken by county war agricultural executive committees, are a matter for agreement with the owner of the land at the time compensation is settled. Interest at 2 per cent, is payable on any arrears. Where debts are due to the Crown in respect of arrears of tithe rent charge or tithe redemption annuities, deduction may be made in cases of default from the compensation payable to the landowner. No such action is generally taken where the terms of an order of the court made for recovery are being observed.
§ Mr. LoverseedIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that, in many cases, the compensation payable to the dispossessed farmer is in fact the only income which he has; and can he give some reason as to why the interest payable on arrears should be less than that which anyone can get from National Savings Certificates? Further, will he investigate a case in which a court order is existing for tithe, which is being paid at the rate of £25 a quarter, and in which case, on the Ministry's instructions, a sum of £190 has been deducted from the compensation?
Mr. HudsonIt is quite clear, and it is obviously reasonable, that where, a man owes a debt to the Crown, that debt should be recovered in part from moneys owed by the Crown to him.