HC Deb 30 July 1953 vol 518 cc197-8W
Sir W. Smithers

asked the Minister of Agriculture how many subjects for investigation and report under Section 84 of the Agriculture Act, 1947, have been referred to the Agricultural Land Commission; in how many cases, when the Commission's report has been sent to him, he has accepted the findings of the Commission; in how many cases he has accepted the findings, but not acted upon them and for what reasons; and what evidence was made available to him which persuaded him to override their findings.

Sir T. Dugdale

Eight cases have been referred to the Agricultural Land Commission for investigation and report under Section 84 of the Agriculture Act, 1947. Reports from the Commission have been received on seven cases. In one the recommendation was that no land should be purchased and in the remainder the Commission recommended that the whole or part of the land referred to in the reports should be purchased. In three cases I decided on grounds of financial stringency not to purchase. In one case I have decided to proceed with purchase and the remaining two cases are still under consideration.