HL Deb 28 June 1956 vol 198 c125

3.5 p.m.

EARL FERRERS

My Lords, I beg to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.

[The Question was as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether discussions are to be held to review the operation of Part II of the Agriculture Act, 1947, and the Agricultural Holdings Act, 1948.]

THE JOINT PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY, MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD (EARL ST. ALDWYN)

Yes, my Lords, my right honourable friend has had these matters under consideration for some time. The Wilson Committee also reported that they had met with a variety of conflicting opinions on the operation of these provisions. I hope that discussions with the organisations concerned, which must inevitably take some time, will start within the next few weeks. My right honourable friend the Secretary of State for Scotland is proposing similar discussions in Scotland.

EARL FERRERS

My Lords, I thank the noble Earl for his reply and for the assurance that discussions are going to take !place with the interested bodies over the implementing of the Agriculture Act, 1947, with particular reference to Part [I. I hope that the noble Earl will impress upon his right honourable friend the desire fostered by many people that he eviction of people from their own arms and their own homes will become I thing of the past.

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