HC Deb 28 July 1909 vol 8 cc1156-8
Mr. G. NICHOLLS

asked the hon. Member for South Somerset, as representing the President of the Board of Agriculture, if he is aware of the fact that the small holdings committee of the county council of the Soke of Peterborough recommended the purchase for small holdings of 300 acres in Newborough; if he is aware that this recommendation was approved by Mr. Cheney, one of the Commissioners to the Board of Agriculture; that the county council of the Soke of Peterborough has declined to carry out the recommendation of its small holdings committee and the Board's Commissioner; that the matter was brought before the council, and that the council deliberated the question with closed doors, after excluding the Press, and that at the close of the meeting the Press were informed that there was nothing to communicate: and if he would say what steps the Hoard intend to take to-assert its authority over this council and uphold the position of its own Commissioner?

The TREASURER of the HOUSEHOLD (Sir E. Strachey)

The reply to the first, second, and third queries is in the affirmative. We do not know whether the discussion mentioned was private or not, or what communication was made to the Press. The county council have now held their proposed inquiry into the applications for small holdings, and they have definitely approved seven applications for 105 acres. They expect to be able to satisfy this demand almost immediately by the acquisition of land by voluntary agreement, and they do not consider it necessary to acquire any other land at present. At the moment, therefore, there is no necessity for further intervention on the part of the Board.

Mr. NICHOLLS

May I ask the hon. Gentleman whether only seven out of 33 applicants are to have land, and whether all the others are to be shunted on one side?

Sir E. STRACHEY

I will inquire. They have told us they have only approved of these seven applicants.

Mr. P. MORRELL

Is it not a fact that the Board of Agriculture and their Commissioners actually approved of the purchase of 300 acres of small holdings, and that 105 acres only was the amount approved by the county council?

Mr. NICHOLLS

Is it not a fact that these applicants went before the special committee appointed by the county council with full power to act, and that although 30 were recommended by the special committee, only seven have been approved?

Sir E. STRACHEY

My hon. Friend knows that the difficulty has arisen from the fact that the county council thought fit, and no doubt it had the power to overrule the recommendations of their committee.

Mr. MORRELL

Is it not also a fact that the county council overruled the recommendations of the Small Holdings Commissioners?

Mr. T. F. RICHARDS

Can we have the reason why so many applicants have been refused?

Sir E. STRACHEY

I have already informed my hon. Friend the Member for Northants that I will inquire into that.

Mr. NICHOLLS

asked if the county council of the Soke of Peterborough has asked the Board's opinion with regard to the question of payment of valuer's charge incurred over the proposal to purchase 300 acres at Newborough, recommended by the small holdings committee, approved by the Board's Commissioner, and rejected by this council; and in such a case what action the Board proposes to take?

Sir E. STRACHEY

The reply is in the negative.