§ MR. ROGERS (Wiltshire, Devizes)To ask the Secretary of State for War in reference to the rates paid on War Office land in the Pewsey Union, whether he is aware that this land is let to farming tenants subject to a right of user for military purposes; that notice has been given to the Pewsey Union Assessment Committee that the War Office do not intend to continue the contribution hitherto made in lieu of rates in respect of this military user to the overseers of the parishes affected after 31st March 1907; whether, seeing that the effect of this decision will be to compel the assessment committee to rate the occupying farm tenants at a figure exceeding the agricultural value of their holdings by the value of the right of user reserved for military purposes and far in excess of the rent paid by them, and in view of the discontent that will be caused, inasmuch as it will throw upon the tenants now liability, and in view of the fact that such liability was not taken into consideration when the rents were fixed, he will make an abatement to the occupying tenants on their rent of an amount equivalent to the sums hitherto paid by the War Office in lieu of rates in respect of right of user, in order to compensate the tenants for their extra liability.
(Answered by Mr. Secretary Haldane,.) I am aware that the contribution in question has been withdrawn by the Treasury (not the War Department). As regards the latter part of the Question, I am not in a position to say what action will be taken. If the contingency arises the matter will receive consideration.