§ MR. BEADEL (Essex, Chelmsford)asked the First Lord of the Treasury, Whether his attention has been drawn to a letter in The Standard of Friday last, signed "Arthur Pryor," and headed "A terrible List;" attached to which letter is a record of farms in one district in the county of Essex, showing 3,527 acres to be out of cultivation, and 17,945 acres to be in the hands of landlords who are unable to find tenants for the same; whether he is aware that a similar state of things exists in many other counties; and, whether the Government will take some steps or propound some scheme whereby a practical remedy for the same can be found?
§ THE FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURY (Mr. W. H. SMITH) (Strand, Westminster)My attention has been drawn to the letter which the hon. Member quotes, and I am aware that a similar state of things exists, though I hope in a less degree, in other parts of the country. The Government regard this as a very serious matter indeed; and if any hon. Member can make a suggestion of any kind which will enable us to find a practical remedy, we shall receive such suggestion with gratitude, and give it our best consideration.
§ MR. CONYBEARE (Cornwall, Camborne)May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he is disposed to take into consideration the proposals and the schemes laid before the House by the junior Member for Northampton (Mr. Bradlaugh) when he brought forward this matter?
§ MR. ARTHUR O'CONNOR (Donegal, E)I wish to ask whether the right hon. Gentleman will consider the desirableness of resumption by the Crown of those valuable lands now allowed to go to waste by their owners?
§ MR. W. H. SMITHThe Government are now asking for a remedy for the existing condition of things under which it is difficult to cultivate the land with profit. If any hon. Gentleman can give a practical suggestion for a remedy for that state of things, it will receive careful consideration.