§ MR. ROGERS (Wiltshire, Devizes)To ask the President of the Local Government Board whether the estate in the occupation of the Hollesley Bay labour colony has been valued since its purchase; and whether he can state how much of the £53,812, being the gross cost of maintenance of the colony up to 31st March, 1907, is represented by the improvements in buildings, planting, and reclamations effected on the estate.
(Answered by Mr. John Burns.) The Answer to the first part of the Question is in the affirmative. I understand that the value of the permanent improvements effected at the Hollesley Bay farm colony during the period between 12th December, 1905, and 30th September last was estimated by the valuers employed by the Central (Unemployed) Body for London at £3,154. This figure represents the improved value of the estate as a labour colony. The improved market value of the estate at 30th September last was estimated by the valuers to be £1,933. In addition a sum of about £4,200 is estimated to have accrued to the value of the stock, stores, plants, etc., at the farm colony.