§ Mr. CHARLES BATHURSTasked whether, in view of the number of small holdings which have been and are being constituted by landowners who sympathise with the small holdings movement on the occasion of farms falling vacant on their estates and of the misleading character of official statistics, which take no account of holdings so constituted, the Board will take steps, prior to the issue of the next Report of the Small Holdings Commissioners, to obtain information which will render possible the inclusion in them of such holdings?
§ Sir E. STRACHEYI am afraid that it would be impracticable to obtain the information suggested. As the hon. Member is aware, the Agricultural Returns show the changes which take place from year to year in the number of holdings of various sizes. As I informed the hon. Member last Monday, the Board have no means of obtaining the information.
§ Mr. C. BATHURSTHas the hon. Baronet considered the possibility of giving these figures?
§ Sir E. STRACHEYIf the figures could not be obtained with absolute accuracy it would be no use granting them.
§ Mr. MORRELLAs the figures now given are misleading, would it not be best in future to leave out the returns of small holdings provided by private landlords?
§ Earl WINTERTONWould it not be possible to grant a return of those single farms which since January, 1911, have now been relet in two or more holdings?
§ Sir E. STRACHEYI think it would not be possible to do so.
§ Mr. ASHLEYasked if, in appointing new small holdings commissioners or inspectors, care will be taken to select qualified land agents; and if favourable consideration will be given to the official qualifications of, and work done by, county land agents to county councils?
§ Sir E. STRACHEYSection 2 (1) of the Small Holdings Act, 1908, provides that small holdings commissioners shall foe persons possessed of a knowledge of agriculture. Applications by county land agents will receive careful consideration.