Mr. NEWDEGATEasked the President of the Local Government Board whether, in view of the fact that the Board of Agriculture and Fisheries have approved various schemes for adapting land for small holdings in Warwickshire calculated on loans for creosoted wood fencing to be repaid in twenty-five years, the Local Government Board will consider the rule made by it only to consent to loans repayable in thirteen years for creosoted wood fencing, in view of the inconvenience and loss thereby incurred in the case of schemes (prepared prior to that rule of the Local Government Board having become known to local authorities) which comprised the erection of creosoted wood fencing, and of the fact that as regards future similar schemes the difficulty in arranging for small holdings to be let at a living rent will be thereby increased?
§ The PRESIDENT Of the LOCAL GOVERNMENT BOARD (Mr. Burns)As I informed the hon. Member for the Wilton Division, in reply to a similar question yesterday, I am in communication with my colleagues at the Board of Agriculture on the subject of the terms allowed for the repayment of these and other loans under the Small Holdings and Allotments Act.
Mr. NEWDEGATEIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the provisions or regulations make it increasingly difficult for county councils to lease small holdings at moderate rates?
§ Mr. CHARLES BATHURSTMay I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he considers the covenant by the county council for the repayment of the loan is sufficient security without limiting the period of the loan?
An HON. MEMBERAs the matter has been going on for over two years, should not some arrangement be come to at the earliest possible moment?
§ Mr. BURNSThe number of cases of difficulty are not very numerous, and we hope to dispose of them.
Mr. NEWDEGATEIs it not a fact that it is only very recently the Local Government Board issued these Orders?