Earl of RONALDSHAYasked the hon. Member for South Somerset, as representing the President of the Board of Agriculture, what percentage of the holdings in the North Riding of Yorkshire are under 50 acres?
§ The TREASURER of the HOUSEHOLD (Sir E. Strachey)The proportion of agricultural holdings over one acre and not exceeding 50 acres in the North Riding as returned to the Board this year was 60.9 per cent.
Earl of RONALDSHAYasked how long the special Commissioner, appointed under the Small Holdings Act, 1907, has been in the North Riding of Yorkshire; whether the county council has been entirely superseded by him as far as its functions under the said Act are concerned; and how many small holdings have been created by him since his appointment?
§ Sir E. STRACHEYThe Special Commissioner commenced his inquiries on 6th August last, his duty being to ascertain, in conformity with Section 3 (1) of the Act, the extent to which there is a demand for small holdings in the county and the extent to which it is reasonably practical to satisfy the demand. The council have not been in any way superseded by him. He is not empowered to create small holdings.