§ SIR F. CHANNINGI beg to ask the hon. Member for South Somerset, as representing the President of the Board of Agriculture, whether the Board have already taken steps, under Section 16 of the Small Holdings and Allotments Act, 1907, to acquire land by agreement or to exercise any of the other powers conferred by the Act on county councils, with a view to demonstrating the feasibility of the establishment of small holdings in any locality; and, if so, in what counties and in what districts; whether the Board have in contemplation any schemes for utilising their powers under Section 16 of the Act; and whether the Board will consider the advisability of selecting two or three suitable areas in the country wherein to establish groups of small holdings to demonstrate the profitable working of the special branches of small farming which are most likely to succeed in those areas, and to encourage the development and equipment of such groups of small holdings by co-operative societies under the provisions of Section 39 of the Act.
§ SIR EDWARD STRACHEYIn view of the number of small holdings that will be established all over the country by county councils, the Board have not thought it necessary to take any action in the direction mentioned, but if they decide to do so they will bear in mind the suggestion made by my hon. friend in the latter part of his Question.
§ SIR F. CHANNINGWill the Board take an early opportunity of considering the latter part of the Question, having regard to the season during which agricultural operations can be carried out?
§ SIR EDWARD STRACHEYThe Board will bear that in mind.
§ SIR F. CHANNINGI will draw attention to this question on the Estimates.