§ Mr. FOREMANasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Agriculture whether the county agricultural executive committees possess power to dispossess holders of small pieces of land who have bought them for building or other purposes; whether this power is retained under the Agriculture Bill; and whether he will investigate this policy which is causing dissatisfaction?
Sir A. BOSCAWENThe power of entering on land referred to by the hon. Member is exercised under the Defence of the Realm Regulations, and is not continued in force by the Agriculture Bill.
§ Mr. FOREMANasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Agriculture whether he is aware that Mr. G. S. 666W Lewis, of 61, Loftus Road, Shepherds Bush, bought three plots of freehold land at Rayleigh, Essex, with the idea of building houses thereon; that he then served in the Army and found on discharge that the Essex County Agricultural Executive Committee had let his land to a seed and flower grower for three years; that he cannot now obtain possession of it; and that the Committee informs him that other arrangements have been made for the land to be farmed in future, why it is thus possible for a holder of land to be dispossessed without his case being heard; and why, when houses are so badly needed, the Committee has power to take such land away and use it for its own purposes?
Sir A. BOSCAWENThe Essex Agricultural Executive Committee took possession of a derelict building estate at Rayleigh in March, 1918, including three plots of which apparently Mr. Lewis is the owner, for the purpose of increasing the food supply. Part of the land was let to a seed grower and used for the production of vegetable seeds, but not flower seeds. There is no evidence that Mr. Lewis actually proposes to build on his plots, or even to cultivate them, if they are restored to him. If, however, he can show that this is the case, or that he is prevented from selling his plots owing to the Committee being in possession, they will be restored to him, notwithstanding that their surrender will seriously impede the cultivation of the remainder of the land.