§ 10. Mr. Skinnerasked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he can now announce his conclusions on proposals to abolish the system of tied cottages.
§ Mr. FreesonNot yet, Sir, but I hope to be able to say something after my meeting with union representatives on 20th June.
§ Mr. SkinnerIs my hon. Friend aware that on the very day that we met certain union representatives—he may well be meeting them in the near future—one of the most privileged members of our society was allocated a mansion with countless bedrooms? At the same time we hear lurid stories of the cold, ruthless and efficient way in which the roofs were being removed from over the heads of agricultural workers' families and from the homes of some miners. If my hon. Friend has difficulty in getting legislation brought to the Floor of the House, will he adopt the measure that my hon. Friend the Member for Keighley (Mr. Cryer) will introduce next Wednesday?
§ Mr. FreesonI am not responsible for allocation policy for council or other dwellings. Therefore, I cannot comment on the allocation to which my hon. Friend has just referred. That must be so whatever views my right hon. and hon. Friends may have on the matter.
Following the meeting that I shall have on 20th June, I shall consider legislation in consultation with my right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food. There are various forms of legislation which could be used and we shall consider the best form to use to tackle the abolition of tied cottages.
§ Mr. CorrieI hope that the Minister will keep in mind the immense problems that the untying of cottages would cause the agriculture industry. Will he suggest how dairy farms can be run without tied cottages?
§ Mr. FreesonI have little doubt that the NFU will express its views in detail on the various options that we shall consider in tackling this matter. Let there be no doubt that the Government are committed to abolishing the tied cottage system.