HC Deb 03 February 1976 vol 904 cc515-6W
Mr. Wiggin

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many complaints he has received in the last three years from tenants who allege harassment by their landlords.

Mr. Bishop

I know of 11 cases in England and Wales where tenant farmers have alleged harassment by their landlords through the misuse of the notice to do work procedure.

Mr. Wiggin

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will identify the cases of harassment mentioned during the Second Reading debate on the Agriculture (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill by the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry.

Mr. Bishop

Information on harassment has come from complaints by tenants, from the Farmers' Union of Wales, from Members of Parliament and from arbitrators appointed by the Ministry. Apart from those complaints that have already appeared in the Press the information was given in confidence.

Mr. Wiggin

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he is satisfied that in the cases of harassment by landlords, which have been drawn to his attention, the tenant concerned has taken advantage of the statutory rights available to him under the existing law.

Mr. Bishop

I understand that some tenants did not use all the statutory procedures available to them.