HC Deb 05 May 1994 vol 242 cc833-4
11. Mr. Bates

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what progress is being made concerning reform of the agricultural tenancy laws.

Mrs. Gillian Shephard

The details of new legislation are being finalised. We are keen to introduce legislation as soon as parliamentary time is available.

Mr. Bates

I am grateful for that answer, but does my right hon. Friend accept that the widespread agreement among all interested organisations last December clearly demonstrated that it is widely recognised that there is an urgent need for agricultural tenancy reform—a need to which we should respond?

Mrs. Shephard

I certainly agree with my hon. Friend that there is real need for reform. He may know that the agricultural valuers produced a survey which demonstrated that, when tenancies end, only 10 per cent. of landlords who have a free choice choose to re-let holdings on full tenancies. In other words, the lack of reform is paralysing that sector of the industry. It was very good news that all the organisations concerned reached agreement last December, which is why we hope to build on that agreement by pressing for parliamentary time.

Mr. Bellingham

Does my right hon. Friend agree that, in Norfolk and East Anglia, where many young people want to go into farming, there is a problem with the availability of tenancies? Does she also agree that, so long as we achieve complete agreement on all sides, there should be complete freedom of contract for all new tenancies?

Mrs. Shephard

Yes. We do, indeed, need reform to increase lettings. We want to increase opportunities for new entrants and to help the industry to respond to market and policy changes. There is no reason why arrangements between landlords and tenants in that sector should differ substantially from such arrangements in other sectors.