§ 51. Sir W. Smithersasked the Minister of Agriculture under what statutory authority he delegates his powers of choice of the nominated members of the agricultural land tribunals to the provincial land commissioner.
§ Mr. NugentI would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to him on 12th November, from which he will see that my right hon. Friend does not delegate his power to appoint the nominated members of agricultural land tribunals.
§ Sir W. SmithersIs the Minister aware that there is a rising tide of protest against this use of dictatorial methods, and that there is no difference in principle between those methods and the methods used in Communist countries, where they have proved a complete failure?
§ Mr. NugentNo, Sir. My hon. Friend gives a completely unfair impression of 515 the function of these bodies which, in fact, are completely reputable and comprehensive safeguards to the landowners concerned.