§ MR. MORRELLI beg to ask the hon. Member for South Somerset, as representing the President of the Board of Agriculture, whether the Board will direct that no part of the expenses incurred by a county council in ascertaining the demand for and under the Small Holdings Act and the suitability of applicants can legally be included in expenses of management, so as to increase the rent of the holdings; and whether he can say what arrangements the Board propose to make for the payment of these preliminary expenses.
I beg also to ask the hon. Member for South Somerset, as representing the President of the Board of Agriculture, whether the Board will direct that the salaries of all agents and officers specially appointed by county councils to assist in the establishment of small holdings under the Act should be apportioned up to the date at which such holdings are actually established; and whether the portion of the salary up to that date will be repaid by the Board.
§ SIR EDWARD STRACHEYThe Board have no reason to suppose that county councils in fixing the rents to be paid by small holders will act otherwise than in conformity with the Act, and they see no necessity for the issue of any special instructions in the matter. The manner in which the expenses of county councils (other than those which are either repayable by the Board or must be taken into account in fixing rents) should be met is under consideration.
§ MR. MORRELLDo the Commissioners say it is impossible to charge the expenses of management against the 861 small holders until the small holdings have been established?
§ SIR EDWARD STRACHEYThey have made no statement as far as I am aware. It is their duty to see that the Act is carried out.