§ 9. Mr. OLIVER LOCKER-LAMPSONasked the President of the Board of Agriculture whether he still wishes the County Council of Huntingdonshire to levy a rate in order to meet the loss sustained through the recent floods in the management of the statutory small holdings: and whether farmers who have suffered themselves severely from the floods are to be called upon to pay this rate?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANI have never expressed the wish attributed to me in the first part of the question. The second part of the question does not come within the scope of the Board's administration. I have already told the hon. Gentleman that I have secured Treasury sanction to assist county councils from the small holdings' account to the extent of 50 per cent, of the rent remitted to small holders under the county councils in consequence of loss sustained through the recent floods.
§ Mr. O. LOCKER-LAMPSONDoes the right hon. Gentleman see any other way except a rate in which this loss can be met?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANI have already stated to the House in reply to the hon Member the arrangement we have made with the Treasury, and I hope that offer will do what is required.