§ Mr. MORRELLasked the hon. Member for South Somerset whether he could yet say when the Report on the administration of the Small Holdings Act for the year 1908 would be ready?
§ Sir E. STRACHEYIt is not possible to say definitely when the Report will be issued. The Report itself is in a forward state of preparation, but some time must still elapse before the statistical tables are ready.
§ Mr. MORRELLIs the hon. Baronet aware that his Report merely refers to the last six months of last year? What is the reason for the delay?
§ Sir E. STRACHEYThere is a great amount of detail to be put into the Report, and in order to get the information asked for we have had to get statistics from 10,000 Local Authorities.
§ Mr. MORRELLasked the hon. Member for South Somerset whether the chief consideration influencing the Board of Agriculture in sending a special Commissioner to any county under the Small Holdings Act is the backwardness of the council of that county in obtaining land; and whether any other considerations are involved?
§ Sir E. STRACHEYThe Board take into consideration all the many and various circumstances affecting the provision of land in any particular county before appointing a Commissioner for special work therein. The chief consideration is whether such appointment will be likely to expedite the provision of small holdings.
§ Mr. MORRELLasked the hon. Member for South Somerset whether he is aware that in Oxfordshire and Wiltshire the number of applicants for small holdings is precisely the same, being 422 in each case, but that the Wiltshire County Council have submitted schemes for the acquisition 222 of more than twice as much land as the Oxfordshire County Council; and whether he can say on what ground a special Commissioner has been sent to Wiltshire and not to Oxfordshire?
§ Sir E. STRACHEYThe Board review the general administration of the Small Holdings Act—past, present and future—by a, county council before deciding whether it is advisable to appoint a special Commissioner. Although the Wiltshire County Council had at the time submitted schemes for the provision of twice as much land as had the Oxfordshire County Council it had become clear that less activity was being shown by the former Council, and that they were in greater need of assistance.
§ Mr. MORRELLasked the hon. Member for South Somerset whether the intention expressed by him of appointing six gentlemen as special Commissioners under the Small Holdings Act has been abandoned as regards two-thirds of them; and, if not, when those appointments will be made?
§ Sir E. STRACHEYThe President intended, and still intends, to appoint Commissioners for special work in those counties where it appears that the provision of small holdings will be thereby expedited. Several of the counties for which it was at one time thought it would be advisable to appoint such Commissioners have shown increased activity in their administration of the Act, and at present are not in need of special assistance.
§ Mr. MORRELLIs it intended to go on with the project of appointing six special Commissioners?
§ Sir E. STRACHEYI have informed my hon. Friend that my noble Friend the President of the Board has got the whole question under consideration, and I must ask my hon. Friend to rest content with the intimation that everything will be done to expedite the appointment of Commissioners wherever necessary.
§ Mr. MORRELLAre we to understand that there is no change in the announced intention to appoint six special Commissioners?
§ Sir E. STRACHEYI have answered the question on the Paper. My noble Friend still intends to appoint Commissioners for special work wherever necessary, and he will appoint six if they are required.
§ Mr. JOHN WARDWhen is he going to appoint them?