HC Deb 27 February 1912 vol 34 cc1178-9
Mr. RENDALL

asked if the President of the Board of Agriculture will give a Table showing what portion of the sum of £200,000 granted by the Treasury in 1908 on account of the Small Holdings Act has been expended, giving the amounts spent in each year, and the various heads under which such expenditure has been made?

Mr. RUNCIMAN

The amount voted by Parliament in 1907–8 for the purposes of the Small Holdings Account was £100,000, not £200,000, and I shall be glad to circulate with the Votes a classified statement showing the expenditure out of the account in each financial year to the 26th instant, inclusive. [See Written Answers this date.]

Mr. BATHURST

May I ask what is left at the present time to the credit of this account?

Mr. RUNCIMAN

I cannot say off-hand. I think something like £35,000.

Mr. RENDALL

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture what is the total amount of land, exclusive of houses and buildings, bought by county councils for the purposes of the Small Holdings Acts; the total purchase price of same; what the sinking fund charges for capital and interest are per annum on such amount; and the total amount of sinking fund charges on the houses and buildings found upon the land at the time of purchase and on the new houses, buildings, and alterations to existing buildings erected by the county councils?

Mr. RUNCIMAN

I am afraid I cannot give all the figures to-day, and perhaps the hon. Member would postpone his question until Monday.

Viscount HELMSLEY

When the right hon. Gentleman gives the answer, will he separately mention the amount in each country?

Mr. RUNCIMAN

I do not think I could give that in reply to a question. If the hon. Member cares to put down an un-starred question I should be glad to circulate a full statement like that with the Votes.