§ 68. Lieut.-Colonel Liptonasked the Minister of Agriculture what steps he is taking to ensure that members of the Lands Tribunal hearing appeals against requisitioning or compulsory purchase by his Department are validly appointed.
§ Mr. NugentIn the light of the judgment in Woollett v. the Minister, further instructions have been issued to the officers concerned to ensure that there are no grounds for doubt about the validity of future appointments of members of tribunals.
§ 69. Lieut.-Colonel Liptonasked the Minister of Agriculture whether he proposes to appeal against the High Court decision in the case of Mrs. H. A. Woollett.
§ Mr. NugentThe question of an appeal is under consideration.
§ 71 and 72. Mr. Gowerasked the Minister of Agriculture (1) what steps he will take to ensure that all appeals to agricultural land tribunals shall be considered separately if the appellants so desire;
(2) what investigation he will order into the procedure of agricultural committees and agricultural land tribunals in the light of the recent case of Mrs. Woollett, of South Woodham, Essex.
§ Mr. NugentThe Agriculture (Procedure of Agricultural Land Tribunals) Order, 1948, gives discretion to the chairman of an agricultural land tribunal to deal at one hearing with references required by two or more persons in relation to a single proposal or decision of the Minister. Chairmen are experienced lawyers appointed by the Lord Chancellor, and I do not think it would be desirable to interfere with their discretion in this matter. The case referred to was in no way concerned with the procedure of county agricultural executive committees.