HC Deb 06 November 1906 vol 164 cc334-5
MR. BRIDGEMAN (Shropshire, Oswestry)

I beg to ask the hon. Member for South Somerset, as representing the President of the Board of Agriculture, if, in view of the general interest taken in the scheme for conversion of the Burwell estate into small holdings, he will give a Return of the previous residences and occupations of those who have become tenants of these holdings, together with the number in each family and the respective acreage of the holdings.

SIR EDWARD STRACHEY (Somersetshire, S.)

The information desired by the hon. Member is not in the possession of the Government, and my noble friend doubts whether it is worth while granting a Return on the subject. I am, however, authorised by my hon. friend the Member for Newmarket to say that he will be glad to supply the hon. Member with full particulars, so far as he is able, if he will confer personally with him on the subject.

VISCOUNT TURNOUR

I beg to ask the hon. Member for South Somerset, as representing the President of the Board of Agriculture, what was the average weekly wage of the labourers formerly employed by the Crown on the Burwell Estate in Cambridgeshire and since dismissed; and what was the size of and rent asked for the small holdings on the said estate which were offered to the displaced labourers, and which the majority did not avail themselves of.

SIR EDWARD STRACHEY

The average weekly wage of the thirty-two adult labourers who were employed on the Crown farm at Burwell was about 14s. In addition nine lads under twenty were employed, whose average weekly wage was 9s. One of the adult labourers was a woman who was paid 8s. a week. My noble friend has no information on the other matters referred to in the Question, but I have no doubt that my hon. friend the Member for Newmarket will be willing to give the noble Lord the particulars he desires.

VISCOUNT TURNOUR

May I ask whether the hon. Gentleman can furnish the House with more details as to the offer of small holdings said to have been made to the labourers?

SIR EDWARD STRACHE

Perhaps the noble Lord will confer with the Member for Newmarket who can give him information on that point.