§ 5. Mr. Stodartasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will give an assurance that he will not use rural development boards as a means of bringing about land nationalisation within their area.
§ Mr. PeartThe powers that are being given to rural development boards bear no relation to those that would be required for land nationalisation. They will acquire only such land as is necessary for the effective discharge of their functions and will hold it only as long as is necessary for that purpose.
§ Mr. StodartIs the Minister aware of the panegyric of praise on nationalisation by his hon. Friend the then Under-Secretary of State for Scotland on 21st December, when he said that much the best use for land was to nationalise it? Can he say whether the fact that the hon. Gentleman is now a member of the Government is no coincidence?
§ Mr. PeartI understand that the hon. Member is a former member of the Liberal Party, which once had land nationalisation in its programme.
§ Mr. ManuelWould my right hon. Friend make certain that where farmers 593 and farming interests want to acquire bigger holdings under the aegis of the rural development boards he will do nothing to impede that pattern being evolved in farming?
§ Mr. PeartI know that my hon. Friend appreciates the importance of the boards. We are anxious to secure amalgamations and the development of the hill areas. The boards have been welcomed by the whole industry, and I deplore the sniping from hon. Members opposite.