§ Sir E. Graham-Littleasked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware that Mrs. Miller, 56 years of age, Peatlands Farm, Woodham Ferrers, Essex, having planted several acres of peas, was compelled by the Essex A.E.C. to plough up the land; that she was subsequently sentenced to two months' imprisonment for obstruction and another tenant installed in her farm; and when she will be allowed to recover possession of her property.
§ Mr. T. WilliamsPossession of Peat-lands Farm, excluding the farmhouse, was taken by the Essex War Agricultural Executive Committee on 21st May, 1942. I understand that last May Mrs. Miller entered the farm without authority, ploughed up 1½ acres of grassland used as a stockyard, and sowed peas on that area and also 5 acres of land scheduled for fallowing. The results were such that the Committee had no alternative but themselves to plough in the 6½ acres.
On a number of occasions Mrs. Miller has been prosecuted for obstructing the committee in the cultivation of the land; the last time she was fined L20 and sentenced to two months' imprisonment. She appealed to Quarter Sessions and her appeal was dismissed.
The land has been farmed by the committee since September, 1944, and is still being farmed by them. They are entitled to retain possession until 10th December, 1950, and in view of the food situation, relinquishment could not be considered under present conditions.