§ Mr. KINGasked whether the lease of land at Underhill by the Somerset County Council for small holdings for the Radstock Small Holdings Society includes payment by the society of 10 per cent, for management; whether 5 per cent, is the usual charge made under such leases; whether the attention of the Board of Agriculture has been called to this charge; whether this charge is approved by the Board; and, if so, on what grounds it is upheld?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANThe minimum rent necessary to recoup the council's fixed outgoings in respect of the land in question, together with 5 per cent, for establishment charges, is £4 0s. 4d. In addition the council charge 1s. a year for a period of five years as a moiety of the agent's fee and 2s. 8d. a year for repairs and other contingencies, bringing the total rent up to four guineas a year for rather more than one acre and a quarter of land. The Board approved the scheme on the understanding that the rent will be reduced if the actual working of the scheme warrants it.