§ Mr. WINFREYasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture how much land has been acquired to supply the 9,557 applicants for 146,050 acres of land who were referred to in the Report of the Small Holdings Commissioners, dated 12th March, 1910, as being approved by the county or county borough councils, but not yet supplied with land?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the BOARD of AGRICULTURE (Sir Edward Strachey)It was pointed out in the Report to which my hon. Friend refers that for the reasons therein given the figures cited could not be regarded as representing the existing outstanding demand. I am glad to say, however, that since 31st December last Schemes and Orders for the acquisition of 13,099 acres have been submitted to the Board, and they continue to come in almost daily.
§ Mr. WINFREYasked whether any action has been taken, or is about to be taken, by the Board under the Small Holdings Act, 1908, Section 20, which enables the Board to acquire land to demonstrate the feasibility of small holdings in any locality; and whether, in the opinion of the Board, there are any localities in which the Board intend to demonstrate such feasibility?
§ Sir E. STRACHEYThe Board do not think that any further action on their part is necessary to demonstrate the feasibility of small holdings. The success of the Small Holdings Act of 1907 has afforded sufficient evidence on the point.