§ MR. ROGERSI beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury whether, in view of the fact that the age ntsto the Woods and Forests Commissioners receive as remuneration for management of their agricultural property a poundage on the rents collected, when the farms are let, and fixed fees for the management of each farm in hand, and in view of the fact that in the case of the 4,280 acres in hand during the year ending 31st March 1906 the expenditure exceeded the receipts, he will state what these fixed fees are, how they are arrived at, and whether the Commissioners are considering the substitution of a poundage on profits for fixed fees as remuneration 1025 for the management of those farms which are in hand.
§ MR. MCKENNAThe fixed fees allowed to the agents in respect of farms in hand include their expenses. They are usually fixed with reference to the rent that may be expected and to the number of visits to the property that under ordinary circumstances are to be anticipated and the expenses entailed by such visits. The fees allowed are as follows:—
The question of the remuneration of the agents on the profits has been considered, but it has not been held to be practicable or desirable to adopt such a system.
£ s. d. Burwell—917 acres 62 0 0 Barton farm—768 acres together with woodlands containing 345 acres and the charge of several miles of roads and sea wall, etc. 150 0 0 Neats Court (Isle of Sheppey) 1157½ acres 49 7 0 Potters Hill (Oxford) 490½ acres 52 0 0 Shimpling (Suffolk) 572 acres 45 0 0 Land at Wingland (Lincolnshire) 357 acres 36 0 0 £394 7 0