Lieut.-Colonel A. Dowerasked the Minister of Agriculture whether he proposes to make provision for farmers to have a right of appeal to an impartial tribunal against orders issued by county war agricultural executive committees; and if he will, in the meantime, issue instructions that no further eviction orders should be made until such a tribunal is available for them to appeal to.
§ Mr. Tom WilliamsI have under consideration the proposal that farmers should have a right of appeal to an impartial tribunal against dispossession under emergency powers, but in view of the vital necessity for maintaining the maximum home production of foodstuffs, I regret that, pending a decision, I cannot see my way to issue instructions as suggested.
§ Sir W. Smithersasked the Minister of Agriculture if he will take the necessary steps to ensure that a farmer who is dispossessed shall have the right of appeal to an independent court of justice.
§ Mr. Tom WilliamsI have under consideration the question whether a fanner who is dispossessed under emergency powers should have a right of appeal, but I am not at present able to announce a decision on the matter.