Sir GILBERT PARKERasked how many small holdings there existed in England and Wales in January, 1907, and how many were there in January, 1911?
§ Sir E. STRACHEYThe following statement shows the number of holdings between one and fifty acres in England and Wales, as returned in each of the last five years. The returns are collected in June in each year:—
| 1906 | 288,926 |
| 1907 | 289,093 |
| 1908 | 287,176 |
| 1909 | 288,011 |
| 1910 | 288,802 |
§ Sir E. STRACHEYIt will be circulated in the usual way.
Sir G. PARKERasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture whether he will grant a Return of the number of applications for small holdings applied for and the number of applications granted in each county of England and Wales since the passing of the Small Holdings Act of 1907–8, together with the average size of the small holdings in each county respectively, the amount of land compulsorily acquired in each county, and the average price paid for land acquired compulsorily or non-compulsorily in each county respectively?
§ Sir E. STRACHEYPractically all the information asked for by the hon. Member is contained in the Board's Annual Report for 1910, which has just been issued. This being the case, perhaps the hon. Member will not consider that any special Return is called for.
§ Mr. ESSEXasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture whether he can give an assurance that no further appointments of officers in connection with the working of the Small Holdings and Allotments Act will be made before the first week in May?
§ Sir E. STRACHEYYes, Sir.