HC Deb 05 November 1945 vol 415 cc896-7
55. Lieut.-Colonel Dower

asked the Minister of Agriculture what is the number of farmers dispossessed by order of the County War Agricultural Executive Committees for the years 1940, 1941, 1942, 1943 and 1944, respectively.

Mr. T. Williams

As the reply contains a number of figures, I will, with permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Lieut.-Colonel Dower

Does my right hon. Friend realise that there has been a number of very doubtful cases of eviction and will he carefully consider the possibility of setting up machinery by which these evicted farmers may have a right of appeal?

Year Taking possession of Land (including all cases where tenancies have also been terminated). Termination of Tenancies(excluding cases where possession has also been taken).
No. of cases. Acreage. No. of cases. Acreage.
1940 … … 1,210 82,105 687 63,357
1941 … … 1,174 117,298 817 71,951
1942 … … 1,972 126,790 884 78,660
1943 … … 1,123 49,858 370 25,665
1944 … … 240 9,810 126 7,102

In only a small proportion of the cases have the farmers affected been compelled to leave their homes and farms.