asked the Minister for Agriculture if he will state the number of land owners who failed to comply with the terms of the Compulsory Tillage Order in 1940, the number of such cases in which legal proceedings were instituted, and the number of cases in which penalties were imposed by order of the court.
Written Answers. - Compulsory Tillage.
While a considerable number of occupiers whose holdings had been inspected were found not to have fully complied with the Compulsory Tillage Order for 1940, the number who failed to make a reasonable effort to fulfil their obligation under that Order is relatively small. During the spring tillage season of last year possession of six holdings was taken on my behalf and conacre lettings made. Sixty-eight prosecutions for breach of the Order had been brought in the District Courts prior to November last, when further legal proceedings had temporarily to be stayed, and in sixty-one of these cases penalties were imposed. Since the end of December last arrangements have already been made for the institution of legal proceedings in eighty-one additional cases of default, and there are still others in connection with which the question of taking such action will be considered.