HC Deb 11 June 1953 vol 516 c446
39. Mr. Anthony Greenwood

asked the Minister of Agriculture what steps he is taking to acquaint county agricultural committees with the limited extent of their powers, in view of the decision of the Somerset Agricultural Committee to issue to a master of foxhounds a certificate which would have deprived a widow of her cottage in order to house a hunt servant, and the strictures of the county court judge on the committee's abuse of its powers.

The Minister of Agriculture (Sir Thomas Dugdale)

The Somerset County Agricultural Executive Committee were asked by a landlord for certificates in respect of two of his workers for whom cottages were required. One worker was a tractor driver and the other a huntsman and part-time farm worker. The committee decided to grant one application only, for the tractor driver, and to refuse the other. When the certificate was sent to the landlord's solicitors this was not made sufficiently clear. I am asking the committee to ensure that in future the certificate shows clearly the class of worker concerned. I do not consider that any further action is necessary.

Mr. Greenwood

Will the Minister also make it plain to other county committees that they must take similar steps?

Sir T. Dugdale

Yes, but I do not think there is any chance of this recurring.