§ Mr. FOREMANasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Agriculture what is the length of time land taken over by the agricultural executive committees is to be retained and when it will be returned to the owners; whether, in the meantime, the committees receive rent for it; whether the owners are compensated; and if the Board will directly investigate cases of hardship created by small owners of plots which were bought for building purposes and which have now been turned into portions of ploughed fields?
§ Sir R. SANDERSThe Ministry is authorised under the Defence of the Realm (Acquisition of Land) Act, 1916, to retain possession of land entered upon under Regulation 2 M for a period of two years after the termination of the War, or, with the consent of the Railway and Canal Commission, for a further period of three years. Where such land has been let to a tenant, a reasonable rent is charged, having regard to the state of the land when taken over. Any person interested in the land is entitled to compensation for loss attributable to possession being taken, and any plot owner who can satisfy the Committee that he requires his plot in order to build on it can apply to have it restored to him. My right hon. Friend is unable to admit that owners of derelict building plots have necessarily suffered any hardship or loss by reason of the cultivation of this land, but he is prepared to inquire into any specific case of hardship that the hon. Member may bring to his notice.