§ 32. Mr. Woofasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he is satisfied with the arbitration procedure under the Agricultural Holdings Act; whether he is aware of the circumstances under which an award was made against Mr. Thomas Howdon of Lock-haugh Farm, Rowlands Gill, Co. Durham; and whether he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Scott-HopkinsMy right hon. Friend is satisfied that the general arbitration procedure constitutes a simple, effective and comparatively inexpensive method of settling differences between landlords and tenants, and I think it is accepted as such by both sides of the industry. An arbitration award is final and binding upon the parries, and my right hon. Friend has no power to intervene. It would therefore not be appropriate for me to comment on the specific case the hon. Member has mentioned.
§ Mr. WoofIs the Parliamentary Secretary aware that the family of this tenant has farmed this farm for the past 140 years? Is he also aware that the arbitrator has refused to disclose to the farmer particulars of certain alleged breaches? Does such conduct justify a notice to quit? Does the Parliamentary Secretary not think that it is an outrageous injustice to be at the mercy of an arbitrator in such circumstances? Is there nothing that can be done to rectify this injustice? Will the hon. Gentleman consult his right hon. Friend the Minister and ask him to intervene to stop this eviction?
§ Mr. Scott-HopkinsAs I said, my right hon. Friend has no power to intervene. When the arbitrator's decision has been made it is final and binding on both parties. The arbitrator in this case was agreed to by both parties before the arbitration took place. I can assure the hon. Member that there is nothing that my right hon. Friend can do in this case.