§ 13. Mr. G. Thomasasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what compensation he has offered to Mr. Davidson, High Trees, Swanbridge, Glamorgan, for the treatment he has received from the county agricultural committee; and whether he will make a statement.
The Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Mr. D. Heathcoat Amory)I can see no justification for the payment of compensation to Mr. Davidson since I am satisfied that he received full and fair consideration in his treatment by the Glamorgan Agricultural Executive Committee.
§ Mr. ThomasIn view of the fact that this matter has been raised both by the hon. Member for Barry (Mr. Gower), in whose constituency this man lives, and by myself, and in view of the wide public interest in the man's serious allegation of unjust treatment, will the Minister, if he will not make an allowance to Mr. Davidson, at least hold a public inquiry in order that the good name of his Department may be cleared? It is quite wrong to leave matters as they are.
Mr. AmoryPersonally, after going through the case, I am entirely convinced that there is no substance in Mr. Davidson's allegations. But I am anxious that the hon. Member should be as convinced of that as I am, and if it would help him I should be delighted to have a talk with him about the case, and go through it with him in detail.
§ Mr. GowerIs my right hon. Friend aware that Mr. Davidson alleges that incorrect information and documents have been placed before my right hon. Friend by certain officials? Is he further aware that Mr. Davidson is quite convinced that documents upon which Mr. Davidson's signature has been forged have, in fact, been put before my right hon. Friend and his predecessor, and will he consider that?
Mr. AmoryI have considered all the allegations made by Mr. Davidson that are known to me, with the result that I have announced. I will look again into the case in the light of what my hon. Friend has just said.