§ Mr. WEDGWOODasked what has been the total number of acres acquired by compulsory purchase for small holdings, and what has been the total price paid for such land, and the total gross rental, net rental, and rateable value of the lands so acquired prior to their acquisition?
§ Sir E. STRACHEYThere have been 3,686 acres compulsorily purchased, for which £123,272 have been paid. I have no information as to the matters referred to in the latter part of the question.
§ Mr. WEDGWOODMay I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he can get the information?
§ Sir E. STRACHEYI will inquire.
§ Mr. C. BATHURSTasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture, what will be the exact duties of the new Small Holdings Commissioners in connection with the promotion of agricultural co-operation; whether such work will be confined to small holders only; and whether, and in what way, they will co-operate with the Agricultural Organisation Society in this branch of their work.
§ Sir E. STRACHEYAt first the duties of the new Commissioners will not differ 12 from that of the present ones in regard to agricultural co-operation.
§ Mr. C. BATHURSTasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture whether the six new Small Holdings Commissioners will be under the direction or control of the two Chief Commissioners, Messrs. Cheney and Baines, or whether they will be of equal official standing with and act quite independently of them; and whether they will be continuously resident within the areas respectively allocated to them?
§ Sir E. STRACHEYThe six new Commissioners, as I have already stated in the House last Tuesday, will be appointed in the same way as the present Commissioners and will be in the same position as regards independence.
§ Mr. C. BATHURSTDoes that mean that they will act independently of the Commissioners who have hitherto acted in that capacity?
§ Sir E. STRACHEYI mean exactly what I have said.
§ Mr. C. BATHURSTWill the two Commissioners to be appointed be in the Civil Service or will they be Members of the party opposite?
§ Sir E. STRACHEYThey will be appointed under the Act.
§ Mr. C. BATHURSTIf all these gentlemen are going to act independently, how is uniformity of policy going to be secured?
§ Sir E. STRACHEYThere will be no more difficulty than there is at the present moment.
§ Mr. ASHLEYasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture if he will state how many county land agents have applied for posts as small holdings commissioners; how many are members of the Surveyor's Institution; and how many will be offered appointments?
§ Sir E. STRACHEYSeven have applied, two of whom are Professional Associates of the Surveyors' Institute. I am not in a position to make any statement as regards the last part of the question.
§ Mr. ASHLEYCan the hon. Gentleman state when a decision will be come to?
§ Sir E. STRACHEYThat will depend on circumstances over which I have no control.