§ Sir D. Whiteasked the Minister of Agriculture whether figures can be supplied giving the number of cases in Eng- 1561W land and Wales in which W.A.E.C.s have taken possession of land or terminated tenancies.
Mr. HudsonThe following table gives details of action taken in England and Wales where the land was not being culti-
— Taking possession of Land (including all cases where tenancies have also been terminated). Termination of Tenancies (excluding cases whore possession has also been taken). No. of Cases. Acreage. No. of Cases. Acreage. Complete agricultural holding, including farmhouse 880 137,566 1,473 184,257 Complete agricultural holding, except for farmhouse 424 40,366 — — Complete agricultural holding "farmed off" by a non-resident occupier. 578 43,591 — — Accommodation land, off farms, off lying-fields, and land occupied by persons other than farmers. — — 1,205 40,748 Portions of agricultural holdings not involving occupiers' dispossession from farmhouse and remainder of holding. 3,436 120,077 — — Common Land 322 24,237 — — Land (other than common land) normally used for sport and recreation. 205 6,329 — — Derelict land (e.g., building sites, marshes, etc.) not included in above categories. 2,917 70,449 — — Totals of all Cases 8,762* 442,615 2,678 225,005 *In addition possession was taken 589 empty houses (total area 63 acres) to provide accommodation for agricultural workers. It will be observed that the number of farmers who have been required to leave their farms and homes as a result of action by the Committee is 2,353. This represents.63 of r per cent. of the total number of agricultural holdings in England and Wales. In addition, 424 farmers were dispossessed of 40,366 acres but retained their homes, while 578 non-resident off-farmers were dispossessed of 43,591 acres.
The figures are not only a tribute to the general efficiency of farmers and their willingness to co-operate in the war-time food production campaign, but also indicate clearly the care and consideration with which the Committees have exercised, as my agents, the drastic powers entrusted to me by Parliament for securing maximum food production during the present emergency.