HC Deb 22 May 1952 vol 501 cc640-1
10. Mr. G. Jeger

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he will make regulations empowering agricultural tribunals to prevent a landowner repeatedly serving notice to quit on a tenant farmer after a case has been decided in favour of the tenant by the tribunal.

Sir T. Dugdale

I have no power to make such regulations, but I will consider the question of repeated and unjustified notices to quit when an opportunity arises to amend the Agricultural Holdings Act, 1948.

Mr. Jeger

May I thank the Minister for that sympathetic reply and ask him whether he realises that, to get full production from British farmers, it is necessary to guarantee them security of tenure against vindictive landlords who repeatedly give notice to quit, thus putting the tenant farmer to great expense in the protection of his holding.

Sir T. Dugdale

Yes, Sir. But the evidence I receive is that there is some doubt in the minds of many people about whether or not the security provisions are rather excessive.

Mr. Jeger

Will the Minister give special consideration to a recent case at Winchester which has brought to light the background of this matter, and which I think should be studied very carefully?

Sir T. Dugdale

I think my reply covered that case.

Mr. Janner

Will the Minister consult the Attorney-General, or some other appropriate Minister, with a view to amending the Rent Restriction Acts, because this is a provision which is quite different from any other provision in the Acts and it gives the landowner special powers which he ought not to possess and against which there is no appeal?

Sir T. Dugdale

I will look at that point.