HC Deb 03 December 1919 vol 122 cc426-7W
Sir L. HARMSWORTH

asked the. Secretary for Scotland if his attention has been drawn to the fact that a number of cases have occurred recently whereby landholders and statutory small tenants have, been required to vacate their holdings on account of the same having been purchased by owners who propose to occupy: whether he can see his way to take steps to provide that the out-going tenants shall not be required to vacate the holdings at the exceedingly inconvenient term of Martinmas; and what steps are being taken by the Board of Agriculture to provide new holdings for such dispossessed holders?

Mr. MUNRO

The Board of Agriculture for Scotland have had their attention drawn to cases of the kind referred to as regards landholders, but not as regards statutory small tenants. As to the second part of the question, I would point out that a landholder or statutory small tenant receiving a notice to vacate can only be removed in the event of disagreement by an Order of the Land Court on an application by the landlord for resumption. It is open to dispossessed tenants to apply to the Board for new holdings, and their cases would be considered along with those of other applicants.