§ Sir W. Smithersasked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware that six dairy heifers are, under an Order L. 4, made by the Essex War Agricultural Executive Committee, on 5th February, 1943, at present confined to buildings in the parish of Nazeing; that the owner appealed against this Order; that the member of the Essex Committee who investigated the appeal stated no fault could be found either with the condition of these cattle or the dryness of the land upon which they were being wintered, but that as the Order to house cattle was a general one throughout the county he could not recommend an exception in this case; that, on 12th March, the owner pointed out to the Essex Committee that the cattle on five adjoining farms were at grass and asked for the above Order to be rescinded, but was refused without any reasons given; and on what grounds is this Order enforced in one case and breaches of it ignored in the five other stated cases?
Mr. HudsonI am aware of the Order referred to, which was necessary to ensure the preservation of the grassland on the farm concerned for summer grazing. There is no general Order in force in the county requiring the housing of cattle. Each case is dealt with on its merits.