§ Mr. MORRELLasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture whether his attention had been called to the case of John Dean, a gardener of Strood, in Kent, who after applying for a small holding in the year 1908, and being then approved by the Kent County Council as a suitable applicant, was kept waiting for three years without any offer of land, 1893 and was at last informed by the council that his application was rejected, no reason being given for this decision; and whether the Board have made any independent inquiry into the case?
§ Sir E. STRACHEYThe Board have been in correspondence with the county council as to this case, and they have instructed one of their inspectors to make further inquiry into the whole matter at once.
§ Mr. MORRELLDo I understand that the inspector will see this man personally and not merely inquire from the county council?
§ Sir E. STRACHEYIf the hon. Member desires I will instruct the inspector to see the man.
§ Mr. ROWLANDSasked whether several of the applicants for small holdings in the neighbourhood of Swanscombe, Kent, were approved more than two years ago; and whether up to the present the Kent County Council had submitted a scheme to the Board of Agriculture in order to supply these applicants with land?
§ Sir E. STRACHEYThe answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative and to the second in the negative. It is right, however, that I should add that there are special difficulties to be overcome in the locality owing to the fact that most of the farms are let on lease, and that the valuations would be heavy. The county council have, however, been offered a farm which will be to let before long.