HC Deb 25 November 1952 vol 508 cc231-3
8. Mr. Grimond

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland to give details of the measures he intends against inefficient farmers.

Mr. Snadden

The measures in question are those laid down in the Agriculture (Scotland) Act, 1948. Procedure for the application of these measures is being speeded up in accordance with the terms of the announcement made last April by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture on behalf of the Government that vigorous action would be taken to ensure that our limited area of agricultural land is neither used inadequately nor misused through incompetence.

Mr. Grimond

While agreeing that it is very important that agriculture should be efficient, might I ask the Joint Under-Secretary whether he would not also agree that this is a matter of great difficulty owing to the different conditions? Will he take steps to speed up the matters of which he has spoken, and will he bear in mind that the agricultural committees are not an entirely satisfactory method of doing this work in all cases, and that what is really wanted is a system which will reward the efficient farmer, on whatever ground he is, and penalise the inefficient farmer?

Mr. Snadden

It is difficult to take into account all the factors since our agricultural economy varies so much from area to area. I would not accept the view that the committees have been inefficient in their task. The hon. Member can take it from me that we will do everything possible to consider the varying conditions in all the areas of Scotland.

Mr. M. MacMillan

Is the Joint Under-Secretary aware that he has a great deal of support from Members on this side of the House for his very courageous and enlightened speech to the farmers' federation on this matter the other day?

Mr. Grimond

Will the Joint Under-Secretary take it that I did not imply that the agricultural committees were inefficient but that there is a limit to the amount of this sort of work which they can undertake?

Mr. S. N. Evans

Would it not be a great help if we could have returns of sales from farms from every agricultural holding in the country, and is it not a fact that if we could only raise the production of farm-fed beef to the same level as that of farm-fed propaganda we should all be able to live like fighting cocks?

Mr. Snadden

In reply to the first question of the hon. Member for Wednesbury (Mr. S. N. Evans), which requires an answer, it involves more forms, but we are considering the possibility of getting a production return.

14. Mr. Emrys Hughes

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland to what extent landlords in Scotland are not fulfilling their State management responsibilities in the campaign for increasing food production; and what steps he proposes to increase food production on these estates.

Mr. Snadden

Where landlords are not fulfilling their estate management responsibilities, as defined in the Agriculture (Scotland) Act, 1948, the agricultural executive committees will not hesitate to use their statutory powers in the interest of efficient production. Since the introduction of the Act, 30 warning notices have been served on landlords; 12 of these notices are still in force. In the last resort, dispossession may take place.

Mr. Hughes

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that we are gratified at the stand he is taking against inefficient landlords as well as inefficient farmers, and will he assure us that no vested landlord interests on the benches behind him will prevent him taking the rigorous action necessary to increase food production?

Mr. Snadden

I do not think the hon. Gentleman need be afraid of that.