§ Mr. NEWMANasked the President of the Board of Agriculture whether he is aware that an estate situated near Althorne, in Essex, the property of an American citizen, Mr. Joseph Fels, and containing a number of experimental small holdings, is about to be disposed of; whether any yearly tenants of such small holdings have approached the Board of Agriculture with a view to becoming holders under any Clauses of the Allotments and Small Holdings Act; and, if so, in view of the interest that this experiment in small holdings has caused, whether he can see his way to make any inquiry into the cause of its failure.
§ Mr. RUNCIMANI have seen it stated in the Press that the estate referred to is to be sold. The answer to the second part of the question is in the negative. I do not think that any useful purpose would be served by formal inquiry into the matter.
§ Mr. NEWMANIs it a fact that two-thirds of these men failed owing to the excessive rent charges imposed by Mr. Joseph Fels?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANI have no official information on the subject, and certainly no information to justify that suggestion.
§ Mr. NEWMANIs Mr. Joseph Fels a disciple of Mr. Henry George?
Sir GILBERT PARKERIn view of the great importance of this matter, would the right hon. Gentleman ask for a report from Mr. Fels?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANIf Mr. Fels cares to give me any information on the subject I 224 shall be glad to receive it; but there is no justification whatever for me to demand from him information that I cannot get from other people.