§ viscount CASTLEREAGHasked the hon. Member for South Somerset, as representing the President of the Board of Agriculture, whether the attention of the President has been directed to the refusal of the owner of the Doxford estate to meet the request of the Northumberland County Council for small holdings on his land; and whether the county council intend to take any steps for the compulsory acquisition of suitable land on the estate with a view to meeting the demand for small holdings in the district?
§ The TREASURER of the HOUSEHOLD (Sir Edward Strachey)The county council did approach the owner of the Doxford estate with a view to obtaining land for small holdings, but subsequently decided to take no further steps, as the locality for their purposes was not a desirable one for small holdings, the land lying three miles from the nearest village and over seven miles from the nearest market town. I should add that immediately the present owner bought this home farm, which then consisted of 529 acres, he on Iris own initiative made two small holdings of 59 and 13 acres respectively.
§ Viscount CASTLEREAGHIs not it the fact that the county council considered that the land was suitable for small holdings? Can the hon. Gentleman say what made them change their minds?
§ Sir E. STRACHEYI can only suppose that what made them change their minds was the distance from the nearest village, which was three miles.
§ Viscount CASTLEREAGHWho is the owner of the property in question?
§ Sir E. STRACHEYMy Noble Friend knows very well that this property, consisting of a house and farm, was bought lately by my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Education.