HC Deb 25 June 1953 vol 516 cc2088-9
32. Sir W. Smithers

asked the Minister of Agriculture the annual cost to the taxpayers and ratepayers, respectively, of the supervision and dispossession of farmers and smallholders; and how many persons are employed in these duties.

The Minister of Agriculture (Sir Thomas Dugdale)

I cannot give a figure for the annual cost, but I can say that none of it falls on the rates. No one is employed exclusively on this work.

Sir W. Smithers

Will the Minister stop this waste of public money, and is he aware that the British public will not tolerate this Gestapo for much longer? May I also ask him to read a letter in the "Manchester Guardian" this morning, written by Mr. Holden Wood, which I think will interest him very much?

Sir T. Dugdale

That is an entirely different question.

33. Sir W. Smithers

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he will now introduce legislation to ensure that farmers and smallholders who are dispossessed should have the right of appeal on points of fact and of merit to a traditional court of law.

Sir T. Dugdale

I have nothing to add to the reply I gave to my hon. Friend on 5th March.

Sir W. Smithers

Is my right hon. Friend aware that there is no real difference between the powers of dispossessing farmers which he exercises and those in operation in Russia and other Soviet countries? Will he introduce legislation immediately to give dispossessed farmers a right of appeal to a traditional court of English law on points of fact and of merit?

Sir T. Dugdale

Perhaps my hon. Friend will look at the answer I gave him on 5th March.

Sir W. Smithers

But my right hon. Friend has not done anything.