HC Deb 07 July 1955 vol 543 cc1279-80
15. Mr. Baldwin

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will appoint a board of arbitrators from which an appointment can be made to settle disputes which arise between farmers and the agricultural executive committee in the cases of grants under the Livestock Rearing Act, 1951, and the Hill Cow Subsidy, 1953.

Mr. Amory

I should not be justified in parting in this way with responsibilities laid on me by Parliament.

Mr. Baldwin

Is my right hon. Friend aware that there is a great deal of dissatisfaction among farmers at the decisions which are being taken these days? Is he aware that the farmer has no chance to put his case in front of the deciding authority, and that in many cases no one visits the farms to ascertain whether the farmers are entitled to the grant or not? Is it not time the farmer had a chance to put his case before the deciding authority?

Mr. Amory

I cannot agree with what my hon. Friend says. The administration of the grants is a difficult matter. The county committees take endless pains, as do the headquarters officials of my Department. Many cases come to Ministers for decision. I can only say that we do our best. The whole time we are looking for still better ways of administering the grants. If any hon. Member has a case in which he thinks injustice has been done, I hope he will raise it with me personally.