HC Deb 09 January 1894 vol 20 cc1149-50
MR. A. C. MORTON (Peterborough)

I beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury whether he will consider the advisability of dividing and letting the Crown agricultural lands as small holdings where possible and practicable, so as to provide a better means of livelihood for agricultural labourers and others?

THE FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURY (Mr. W. E. GLADSTONE,) Edinburgh, Midlothian

The question of my Lon. Friend is an important one. The state of the case is this—that those who administer this matter are most desirous of taking advantage of any opportunity that can be found of making the Crown lauds available. Of course we do not; and I do not think we ought to go the length of disturbing other tenants for the purpose of clearing the land.

COMMANDER BETHELL (York, E.R.,) Holderness

May I ask whether the Government intend to exempt Crown lands from the operation of the clause they are now discussing and of the Local Government Act relating to compulsory hiring?

MR. W. E. GLADSTONE

This is a, difficult question to answer without notice and until I have had an opportunity of consulting with my right hon. Friend who is in charge of the Bill.

MR. GIBSON BOWLES (Lynn Regis)

I wish to ask whether, under the circumstances which the right hon. Gentleman has mentioned, he will consider the propriety of passing the clause in the Local Government Bill in such a shape as to prevent private tenants from being disturbed in order to make way for "small parcels"?

[No answer was given.]