HC Deb 06 May 1982 vol 23 cc266-7
2. Mr. Heddle

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will now bring forward proposals to reform the law of agricultural holdings for the specific purpose of stimulating the granting of new farm tenancies.

The Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Mr. Peter Walker)

I have nothing to add to the reply given to my hon. Friend on 1 April. We are continuing to consider what action is required.

Mr. Heddle

Does my right hon. Friend agree that the commitment now given by the Opposition to nationalise all tenanted farm land with minimal compensation will dry up the supply of farms to rent? Does he further agree that it is therefore necessary to continue a dialogue to explore ways of finding farms and smallholdings to let on conditions and at rents that will meet with the approval of landowners and tenants alike?

Mr. Walker

Yes. After all these years of reiterating its land nationalisation proposals, I find it surprising, but perhaps electorally pleasing, that the Labour Party in its present form should continue with that outdated and useless suggestion.

Mr. Buchan

Does the right hon. Gentleman agree that it is extraordinary that the Government, believing that they have the correct policy on this issue, should be afraid to introduce it without the permission of the Opposition? Is he aware that if the Government wish to give up their rights and privileges on that Bench, we are willing to take them over?

Mr. Walker

I do not know from where the hon. Gentleman got that strange view. I wish to improve the landlord and tenant situation to enable young farmers to come into farming. I am in no way under the influence of the Opposition. I have always said that it is disastrous for young people who wish to go into farming that the Opposition should so persistently ruin any chance of sensible reform. I am sorry that they continue to do that. I hope that one day they will change their view.

Mr. Farr

Does my hon. Friend agree that, due to the mechanics of the situation, if legislation were introduced today, it is unlikely that a single new tenancy would become available during this Parliament as a result of it?

Mr. Walker

Yes; but I have no doubt that, after the substantial defeat of the Labour Party at the next general election, things will be different.

Mr. Buchan

How can the Minister deny that the situation is extraordinary when his first proposition was that the Government were willing to look at this matter and to bring in a modified form of tenancy agreement in line with the views of the National Farmers Union and the Country Landowners Association, but that it could not be done unless the Opposition agreed? Further to his remarks about public ownership and his apparent agreement with his hon. Friend the Member for Harborough (Mr. Fan), is he aware that one way to increase the number of tenants is to have a substantial extension of public ownership?

Mr. Walker

I repeat that the Labour Party has done more damage to the prospects for young people wishing to enter the agriculture industry than any other political party this century, and it continues to do so. It now comes up with the absurd and outdated suggestion of land nationalisation. I assure the House that the Government will now endeavour to improve the situation, knowing that the Labour Party has no interest outside its old doctrinaire views on nationalisation.