§ Mr. COURTHOPE (for Mr. Edward Wood)asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture whether the Board have received a complaint of Mr. Cass, of Whixley, near Knaresborough, setting out the hardships to himself involved by the taking of part of his farm for small holdings; whether the Board will endeavour to prevent such hardships; and, if not, whether they can secure him any compensation for them?
§ Sir E. STRACHEYThe answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The West Riding County Council will pay to the outgoing tenant compensation for his improvements under the Agricultural Holdings Act, 1908, and the valuer, who has recently been appointed by the Board to determine the rent to be paid for the land to be acquired, will take into consideration the depreciation caused to the residue of the lands by reason of severance. The matter will be further considered so soon as the valuation has been made.
§ Mr. COURTHOPECan the hon. Gentleman say whether cases of this kind will be covered by the Bill he introduced yesterday?
§ Sir E. STRACHEYI cannot answer straight off, but I should hope so.
§ Mr. BRACKENBURYasked what has been the average price paid in the Hum-berstone district of the Louth Division of Lincolnshire for land purchased for small holdings and allotments; and what was the letting value of such land previous to is being sold?
§ Sir E. STRACHEYThe average price of land, including buildings, purchased in the Louth Division is £31 6s. per acre. The average letting value prior to purchase was £l 10s. per acre.