§ MR. ROGERSI beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury whether he is aware that several farms in different counties, amounting in all to 4,280 acres, the property of the Crown, and under the control of the Woods and Forests Commissioners, were during the year ending 31st March, 1906, unlet for lack of tenants, and being farmed by the Commissioners at a net loss to them of £940 lls. 6d.,; what sum, if any, on account of rent has to be added in order to arrive at the full loss to the Commissioners occasioned by their agricultural operations; and whether the question of sub-division and adaptation of these farms in order to meet the demand of the more numerous class of tenants who possess small capitals is under the consideration of the Commissioners.
§ MR. McKENNAI am informed that in the year ended 31st March, 19Q6, the cash expended on the unlet farms in question exceeded the cash received by the amount stated, but that is not a net loss, as the stock, etc., on the farms were of considerable value. The farming year is taken as ending on the 31st October, and the valuations of stock, etc., on the farms are made then. At the 31st October 1905, the estimated values of the stock, etc., on the farms amounted to £29,867 and the accounts to that date showed an estimated total surplus of £12,922 8s. 8d. for the total periods during which the several farms had been in hand without charging rent. No estimate has been made of the rent. The best method of finding tenants is constantly under consideration and two of the farms referred to in the Question have recently been let.