HC Deb 29 November 1948 vol 458 cc1630-1
49. Mr. Anthony Greenwood

asked the Minister of Agriculture what steps are being taken by the Somerset County Agricultural Committee to remedy complaints by Mendip farmers that damage is being caused to their walls by fox-hunters.

Mr. G. Brown

I understand that the Somerset County Agricultural Executive Committee have received no complaints from Mendip farmers of damage by fox hunts.

Mr. Greenwood

In view of the fact that these complaints were made and admitted at the annual meeting of the hunt a fortnight ago, will my hon. Friend look into the matter further? Will he also say what responsibility rests upon the county agricultural committees to protect tenant farmers from wanton damage caused by foxhunting?

Mr. Brown

The answer to the second part of my hon. Friend's supplementary question is "None, Sir." Any farmer who suffers damage in this way has his remedy in the courts. In reply to the first part of the supplementary question, I repeat that we have had no complaints made to us. I would add that I am told that the fox hunt covering the area concerned is in the main a hunt of local farmers.

Mr. Greenwood

Will my hon. Friend bear in mind that that is why I used the phrase "tenant farmers," and not merely farmers?