HC Deb 03 December 1953 vol 521 c1289
4. Mr. Peart

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he will take steps, in the legislation to be introduced to amend the Agriculture Act, 1947, to prevent a landowner giving notice to quit each year when the application has been rejected on more than one occasion by the agricultural land tribunal.

Sir T. Dugdale

I fear that the particular amendment to the present law proposed by the hon. Member would operate too rigidly in practice, but I have a different amendment under consideration which I think would meet his point. This would empower an agricultural land tribunal, when it saw special reasons for doing so, to require the payment of costs by a person concerned in a reference to it.

Mr. Peart

While thanking the Minister for that reply, which will be given very careful attention, may I ask him always to bear in mind that there is hardship to a farmer who has repeatedly to be faced with what are often very heavy legal costs? If an application for dispossession is brought each year, the farmer's morale may be destroyed. I hope the Minister will bear that in mind when he brings forward his proposals.

Commander Donaldson

Will the amendment which the Minister has in mind apply to Scotland as well as to England and Wales?

Sir T. Dugdale

I must have notice of that question.