HC Deb 31 October 1949 vol 469 cc43-4
75. Mr. Drayson

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what increases he proposes to make or has made in the rents of farms belonging to the Duchy which are situated in the Bowland area of the Skipton division.

The Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster (Mr. Dalton)

The rents of 17 farms in this area have recently been reviewed. In twelve cases increases, averaging 30 per cent., have been agreed with the tenants: the remaining five cases have been referred to arbitration under the Agricultural Holdings Act. 1948.

Mr. Drayson

Is the Minister aware that typical of the five cases that have not been agreed is an increase of rent from £270 to £520 and from £680 to £1,030? Does he consider that those are reasonable increases of rent for the agricultural community at the present time? Has he discussed this matter with the Minister of Agriculture, and can farmers assume that the increases of rent are required to pay the increased salary of the Chancellor from £3,000 to £5,000 a year?

Mr. Speaker

I understood that the matter has been referred to arbitration.

Mr. Marples

Has the Chancellor borne in mind the difficulty in which some of these tenants may be placed as the result of the increases in rent if they have invested some of their money in "Daltons"?