HC Deb 23 August 1909 vol 9 cc1759-60
Mr. GEORGE ROBERTS

asked the hon. Member for South Somerset, as representing the President of the Board of Agriculture, if he can state on what ground the Sussex County Council refused the application of Mr. Pattine Gregoris for land under the Small Holdings and Allotments Act, 1907, having regard to the fact that the applicant has the requisite capital and has experience of market gardening and the keeping of live stock; and whether he will cause inquiry to be made into the case with a view to the council's decision being revised?

Mr. FULLER

The Board have made inquiry into the case, and are satisfied that the county council were justified in refusing to approve the application mentioned. They do not, however, consider that it would conduce to the efficient working of the Act if they were to make a practice of publishing the reasons which have led a county council to decline to approve any particular application, and they are not prepared to do so in this instance.