§ Mr. ERNEST JARDINEasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture what is the total number of 1199 persons who have been provided with small holdings by local bodies under the Small Holdings Act up to the end of the year 1910; and how many of those who were provided with small holdings have given up possession?
§ Sir E. STRACHEYThe answer to the first part of the question is 5,525. Up to the end of 1909 twenty-seven had given up their holdings. I have no later available figures on this point, but I shall be glad to obtain them if the hon. Member so desires.
§ Mr. NIELDasked whether the six commissioners about to be appointed will be promoted from among the permanent servants of the Board who have entered the service after passing the educational tests and complying with the rules of the Civil Service Commissioners?
§ Sir E. STRACHEYThe matter is still under consideration.
MARQUESS of TULLIBARDINEMay I ask the hon. Baronet if any Members of Parliament can be appointed as the Commissioners?
§ Sir E. STRACHEYI can make no announcement at present.
§ Mr. HAYDN JONESasked the reasons which led the Board to refuse to sanction the compulsory Order made by the county council of Merioneth for the acquisition of land for small holdings?
§ Sir E. STRACHEYThe Board did not confirm the Order because they considered that it would involve taking an undue and inconvenient amount of land from the estate, and they were of opinion that the compensation payable would have been so high that the land could not have been let as a small holding.
§ Mr. HAYDN JONESIs the hon. Baronet aware that the land in question was formerly occupied as separate holdings?
§ Sir E. STRACHEYI believe that was so.
§ Mr. MORRELLCan the hon. Gentleman tell me whether any other land will be made available for these applicants?
§ Sir E. STRACHEYI think my hon. Friend must give me notice of that.
§ Mr. MORRELLIs it not the opinion of the county council that this is the only land available?
§ Sir E. STRACHEYI am not aware whether that is so or not.
§ Mr. MORRELLWould he ascertain?
§ Sir E. STRACHEYCertainly.