HC Deb 12 April 1911 vol 24 cc477-8
Sir GILBERT PARKER

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture whether there were foreign land banks which advanced 100 per cent. of the purchase money to small holders; whether there were those which advanced from 90 to 100 per cent., and to what country did they belong; and whether there were Governments which advanced from 90 to 100 per cent. of the purchase money for small holdings direct, and, if so, what were these Governments?

The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the BOARD of AGRICULTURE (Sir E. Strachey)

There are land banks in Germany which advance 90 to 100 per cent. of the purchase money. The Government of Denmark advances 100 per cent. of the money direct.

Mr. WEDGWOOD

Is it not a fact that in Denmark particularly the advance of from 90 to 100 per cent. of the purchase money to small holders simply enables them to pay higher prices for the land than they would otherwise do, and thereby increases the profits of the landlords?

Sir E. STRACHEY

I am not aware of that.