MR. FORSTER-BOULTON (Huntingdonshire, Ramsey)I beg to ask the President of the Local Government Board if his attention has been called to the fact that certain county councils have interpreted the Small Holdings Act, 1907, and the Acts incorporated in it, in such a manner that the capital sum expended on the purchase of land must not exceed an amount the interest of which can be met by a penny rate, notwithstanding that the land purchased is let for a rent equal to, or greater than, the interest on the capital expended, the rates, taxes, and expenses of management; and if he will consider it advisable to issue a fresh circular to county councils giving instruction on this subject.
§ MR. JOHN BURNSMy attention has been called to this matter. The Law Officers of the Crown advised in 1893 that, in considering whether the limit prescribed by Sub-section (2) of Section 18 of the Small Holdings Act, 1892, was likely to be exceeded, a county council might have regard to any receipts which might reasonably be expected to come into 527 account during the year and to be available in reduction of the expenses incurred under the Act, and it is now made clear by Section 8 of the Act of last session that this view of the law is correct. I will consider the suggestion that a circular should be issued on the subject.