§ 62. Sir W. Smithersasked the Minister of Agriculture if he has considered the 218W fresh evidence which has been sent to him concerning the complaints of Mr. E. H. House and of his treatment by the agricultural committees; and will he make a full statement in dealing with all the points raised by Mr. House.
§ Mr. T. WilliamsI have considered the complaints put forward by the hon. Member on behalf of Mr. House and the facts as far as I can ascertain them are as follows.
In September, 1946, the East Sussex War Agricultural Executive Committee informed Mr. House that with my consent they were proposing to terminate on the 25th day of March, 1947, the tenancy of Great Strudgates and Newhouse Farm on the ground that the holding was not being cultivated in accordance with the rules of good husbandry. Mr. House appealed to the Tribunal, presided over by Mr. A. M. Latter, K.C. Mr. House was represented by solicitor and counsel and after a hearing on 12th and 13th December, 1946, including an inspection of the farm by the Tribunal, the decision of the committee was upheld.
Mr. House did not comply with the direction to vacate the farm on 25th March, 1947. In accordance with regulation 62(2A), on or about 5th April, 1947, the police entered the farm with a view to giving vacant possession to the landlord, in accordance with the Tribunal's decision.
In the meantime on or about 13th February, 1947, Mr. House was adjudicated bankrupt, and accordingly any chattels on the holding or in the house were vested in the trustee in Bankruptcy, to whom, on entry by the police, possession was given. After entry, therefore, neither the police nor the committee were responsible for the premises or anything therein or thereon. I am satisfied that the steps taken in regard to Mr. House were proper steps and that I cannot accept any responsibility in regard thereto. Mr. House had full and ample opportunity of arguing his case before the Tribunal and I am not prepared to re-open this matter.