HC Deb 04 November 1912 vol 43 c817
12. Mr. OLIVER LOCKER-LAMPSON

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture whether he can advance money to the county council of Huntingdonshire in order to assist it in remitting part of or the whole of the rents of its small-holding tenants who have suffered from the recent floods?

Mr. RUNCIMAN

In cases where schemes under the Small Holdings Act have resulted in loss in consequence of the inability of tenants to pay their rent by reason of the heavy floods, the Board, with the concurrence of the Treasury, are prepared to consider applications from county councils for assistance out of the Small Holdings Account. The conditions of such assistance, which may amount to 50 per cent, of the loss, are laid down in the Treasury Minute of 31st December, 1907, a copy of which I shall be pleased to send to the hon. Member.

Mr. WATT

Will this advance be a loan or a gift?

Mr. RUNCIMAN

They come under the provisions of the Small Holdings Account; the county councils can make their own arrangements.