§ 82. Sir J. Crowderasked the Minister of Agriculture how many Statutory Instruments he has made during the past 12 months abolishing or moderating existing controls.
§ Sir T. DugdaleOne, the Agricultural Gangmasters (Revocation) Order, 1951.
§ 85. Mr. G. Brownasked the Minister of Agriculture which organisations he consulted before deciding to revoke Defence (General) Regulation 62AA; and what advice they gave him.
§ Sir T. DugdaleI did not think it necessary to enter into formal consultations with any organisations, as the regulation was designed to protect temporary78W war-time allotments which were often unfenced. The regulation suffered from the defect that it created a criminal offence if a dog were allowed to stray on an allotment even if no damage were done. The numbers of these temporary allotments have now fallen greatly and are still decreasing. I do not, therefore, consider that the continuance of this regulation would be justified. Occupiers of allotment gardens will still have legal protection against damage to their property under Section 19 (1) of the Allotments Act, 1922, and also under the common law. It is the policy of the present Government, like its predecessor, to dispense with war-time controls unless there are strong reasons for retaining them.