HC Deb 19 November 1908 vol 196 cc1404-5
* MR. WILLS

I beg to ask the hon. Member for South Somerset, as representing the President of the Board of Agriculture, whether he is aware that at Sturminster Newton and Marnhull, in Dorset, co-operative small holdings associations have been formed upon the financial basis and under the rules approved by the Board of Agriculture, and that these associations have applied for land to the Dorset County Council repeatedly without response, the last application being dated 17th August, although suitable vacant land exists or has existed in the neighbourhood of each place during the period covered by the said applications; and whether the Board of Agriculture propose to take any steps in the matter.

* SIR EDWARD STRACHEY

We have been in communication with the county council, and we are informed that they are now negotiating for the acquisition of a farm of 235 acres at Sturminster Newton with a view to sub-letting it to the Sturminster Newton Association. With regard to the Marnhull Association, the county council are in communication with the association with reference to its financial position.

* MR. WILLS

Have the county council left unanswered the application of the association for over three months, and are they not repeating questions which the association has already answered, so far as it can be expected to do so?

* SIR EDWARD STRACHEY

The information that I have is that the association has not up till now satisfied the county council as to its financial position.

MR. JOHN WARD (Stoke-on-Trent)

Have the county council given any indication when it is likely its inquiry will come to a definite conclusion?

* SIR EDWARD STRACHEY

They inform me they will act as soon as they are satisfied with the result of the inquiry.

MR. JOHN WARD

And they have been saying that ever since the Act was passed.

* MR. WILLS

Has not the application of this association been before the county council for over three months, and have not the questions now being asked already been answered, so far as such an association can reasonably be expected to answer them? Is there any definite complaint as to any portion of the answers?

* MR. SPEAKER

I think notice should be given of some of these Questions.

MR. HERBERT (Buckinghamshire, Wycombe)

Will the Board of Agriculture call upon the county council to furnish it with a copy of the correspondence with the association so that it may judge if the county council is attempting to do its duty?

* SIR EDWARD STRACHEY

Certainly.

MR. ROWLANDS (Kent, Dartford)

Will the Board recommend to the authority the advisability of putting into force the compulsory powers of the Act?

* MR. SPEAKER

That Question has: already been answered.