HC Deb 26 February 1976 vol 906 cc609-10
13. Sir A. Meyer

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many sons succeeded to their fathers' tenancies last year; and what percentage of tenancies created last year this represents.

Mr. Peart

I regret that my Department does not keep this information.

Sir A. Meyer

The Minister's reply is very disappointing. Despite his laudable attempts to ensure some kind of preferential succession of sons of tenant farmers, will he none the less reflect on the awful warning of the Labour Government's attempts to provide for security of housing tenure—attempts which have led to the largest increase in homelessness ever recorded?

Mr. Peart

I hope that the hon. Gentleman will study carefully the new provisions tabled by the Government—[HON. MEMBERS: "When?"] The House will be given them today. Hon. Members must be patient. The National Farmers Union feels strongly about this matter. Its propaganda in the debate on this subject showed that it was anxious that the Government should do something about the matter, and we are doing so.

Mr. Pym

In view of the extent and substance of the provisions tabled by the Government, has the Minister made representations to the Leader of the House for time to be given to debate those important proposals?

Mr. Peart

The right hon. Gentleman came to seem me about this matter and we discussed the situation informally. I thought that we had a gentleman's agreement that the best place to discuss the matter would be in Standing Committee.

Mr. Pym

I agree that it is right to debate the matter in Committee, but surely substantial amendments amounting to some eight pages of typescript and dealing with important principles should be debated before the Committee considers them in detail.

Mr. Peart

I recognise that the provisions are most important, but I repeat that I discussed the matter with the right hon. Gentleman and it was agreed that the first discussion should take place in Committee. I did not initially want that to happen, but I felt that the Opposition wanted it.

Several Hon. Members rose

—

Mr. Speaker

We want to be fair to the House. Perhaps the matter can be raised on another occasion.

Mr. Roderick

Will my hon. Friend accept my thanks, and I am sure the thanks of many tenant farmers, for tabling the new clauses on this important subject? This legislation has long been overdue. Will he resist the temptation to give in to Opposition Members, who totally oppose such legislation?

Mr. Peart

This is now Government policy.