§ * MR. WILLS (Dorsetshire, N.)I beg to ask the hon. Member for South Somerset, as representing the President of the Board of Agriculture, whether he is aware that the Dorset County Council have decided that as regards obtaining land for small local holdings they will negotiate to meet such needs by voluntary agreement, but are not prepared to apply for compulsory powers (except in exceptional cases) where in their opinion the sub-division of land would seriously damage the value of existing holdings; and whether, in view of the demand in Dorset for land in the neighbourhood of the applicants' residences, and the fact that this demand cannot be satisfied without interfering with existing holdings, the Board of Agriculture will take any steps to prevent the failure of the Act in that county.
§ * THE TREASURER OF THE HOUSEHOLD (Sir EDWARD STRACHEY, Somersetshire, S.)The Board are informed that the policy of the county council is substantially as stated. The council expect, however, to obtain sufficient land by voluntary agreement to satisfy the demands of all suitable applicants, and I can assure my hon. friend that the Board will not fail to take any necessary action if there is any undue delay on the part of the county council.
§ * MR. WILLSAre not this county council now refusing many applications on the sole ground that there is no vacant land?
§ * SIR EDWARD STRACHEYI am not aware of that.
§ MR. MORRELL (Oxfordshire, Henley)If the Board are satisfied that the county council are not doing their duty, will it take steps to compel them to do so?
§ * SIR EDWARD STRACHEYYes, Sir.
§ MR. BOTTOMLEY (Hackney, S.)Arising out of that reply, whatever it 1404 was, will the Government consider the propriety of furnishing the Treasury bench with a megaphone?
§ [No Answer was returned.]