§ Mr. BENNETTasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Agriculture whether the agricultural committees in the various counties work under identical regulations in dealing with claims for compensation for loss incurred in the ploughing up of grass lands; and whether there is anything in the regulations to prevent such committees giving an assurance that the valuers, whose names they submit to the applicant for choice of an arbitrator, shall be men conversant with the soil and the agricultural conditions of the locality in which the claim arises?
Sir A. BOSCAWENThe answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. There is nothing to prevent the Agricultural Committees giving the assurance suggested, as it would be contrary to their practice and to the desire of the Ministry to suggest the appointment of men who are not conversant with the local conditions. I may point out, however, that claimants for compensation are not bound to accept any of the names suggested by the Agricultural Committee, and that in default of agreement the arbitrator is appointed by the President of the Surveyors' Institution.