§ MR. BRODIE (Surrey, Reigate)To ask the hon. Member for South Somerset, as representing the President of the Board of Agriculture, whether the Small Holdings Commissioners have taken any steps to ascertain the extent of the 335 demand for small holdings and allotments in Surrey, as directed by Section 2 of the Small Holdings Allotments Act, and, if they have so ascertained any such demand, whether they have reported to the Board of Agriculture and Fisheries as directed by the Act; and, if such a Report has been made, have the Board considered it, and notified the county council for Surrey to prepare a scheme in accordance with Section 3, subsection 1, of the above Act.
(Answered by Sir Edward Strachey.) The Commissioners have ascertained that up to the 22nd instant applications for small holdings have been received by the Surrey County Council from 197 persons for 2,560 acres. The council have appointed a land agent and subcommittees to deal with these applications, and the Board have no doubt that schemes will be submitted to them as soon as the necessary inquiries have been made. In these circumstances it has not been requisite either for the Commissioners or the Board to take more specific action in the matter.