§ Mr. MASSIEasked the hon. Member for South Somerset whether the Board are aware that since the inquiry held in June last, at the instance of the parish council of South Marston, with a view to the compulsory acquisition of land for small holdings and allotments and the erection of cottages, the chairman of the parish council, who supported the application and was himself an applicant and had been a resident in the parish for 40 years, has received from the principal landlord notice to quit his cottage and also his allotment, and that a similar notice has been served upon another parish councillor, while two other applicants in the village for land and cottages are likewise in process of eviction; and whether, in these new circumstances and considering that no other cottages are available, the Board will use their powers with the Wiltshire County Council in the interest of the applicants for land and the requisite buildings thereon?
§ Sir E. STRACHEYThe Board have been informed that one of the applicants has received notice from his landlord to quit his house, but we have no information as to the other cases. If the hon. Member will supply us with particulars we will instruct an inspector to inquire into the matter on the spot.
§ Sir F. BANBURYMay I ask whether a man who is stated to have been a resident in the parish for over 40 years worked for the Great Western Railway Company at Swindon, five miles away; whether he is 59 years of age; and whether his cottage 1849 was let to him on the understanding that if it was required for agricultural purposes he should vacate it?
§ Sir E. STRACHEYI do not think the hon. Baronet can expect me to reply to that question now.