In this chapter the CWAECs’ role will be discussed in relation to the dispossession of farmers from their land, a contentious issue that, although relatively well known, was little discussed in the heat of war, but whose impact lingered, especially of course with the dispossessed farmers themselves and their relatives. Indeed, even after the war, the issue continued to rankle as powers of dispossession remained in force until repealed in the Agriculture Act 1958. More particularly we focus on dispossession at three different scales: the national, regional and individual. The last level is examined more particularly in Chapter 7. Each scale has its own data sources, which are discussed, and each brings its own perspective to bear on what one critical account called ‘a betrayal of the fundamental liberties of the British people’.

Powers and suspicions

The Emergency Powers (Defence) Act 1939 was passed as a reaction to the Nazi–Soviet defence pact of August that year. It ushered in a sweeping set of emergency powers and regulations for defence and the prosecution of the war, including the taking of possession or controlling any property or undertaking, acquiring any property other than land, entering and searching property and suspending or amending any previous enactments. The Defence (General) Regulations subsequently gave authorities the power to control cultivation and preserve and inspect agricultural land. All such powers, originally vested in the Ministers for Agriculture, were reassigned to the CWAECs in England, Wales and Scotland. The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland authorised the Ministry of Agriculture for Northern Ireland similarly. As the war progressed virtually every aspect of farming was controlled, even down to the diversion of footpaths where land was now being ploughed, or the siting and fencing of ricks.

There was no right of appeal, except to the CWAEC itself. The reason given by the Ministry for this draconian step was that any such appeal might engender a lengthy legal process which would itself hinder food production.