§ 82. Mr. RENDALLasked whether Thomas J. John applied to the Carmarthen small holdings committee for a small holding in October, 1910; that his application was in due course approved, and that he has since repeatedly asked the small holdings committee to satisfy his approved requirements for fifty acres; and will the right hon. Gentleman state why this man has as yet received no land?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANI am informed that two offers of land have been made to Mr. John, but neither of them was suitable for his requirements. The Board recognise that the position in Carmarthenshire is not entirely satisfactory, and their small holdings commissioner has for some time been giving special attention to the county with a view to more effectual steps being taken to satisfy the outstanding demand.
§ 83. Mr. RENDALLasked whether Walter H. Wheeler applied to the Wiltshire small holdings committee for a small holding in the autumn of 1910; that his application was in due course approved; and that he has since repeatedly asked the small holdings committee to satisfy his 562 approved requirements; and will the President of the Board of Agriculture say whether any suitable land within reach of this man's abode has at any time been offered him during this period of two and a-half years; and, if not, will he explain why no offer has been made?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANThe Board are informed that Mr. Wheeler was offered thirteen and a-half acres near his home in October, 1911, but he declined the offer. The county council hope shortly to have the opportunity of purchasing some other land in the neighbourhood which might be suitable for Mr. Wheeler, whose requirements, however, appear to be of a character not very easy to satisfy.
§ 84. Mr. RENDALLasked whether Silas Bowden applied to the Devon small holdings committee for a small holding four years ago; that his application was in due course approved; and that he has since repeatedly asked the small holdings committee to satisfy his approved requirements; will the right hon. Gentleman say whether any land has been offered this man during the whole of this period of four years; and, if not, will he explain why this has not been done?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANMr. Bowden has twice been offered land by private owners, which he refused. He has not approached the council for two years, and the board are informed that he stated recently that he was quite content to wait an opportunity of getting land.
§ 85. Mr. RENDALLasked whether Alfred Carver applied to the West Sussex small holdings committee for a small holding on 22nd July, 1912; will the right hon. Gentleman say why the West Sussex County Council would not approve of this man's application for a small holding; and if they will take steps to investigate the case?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANI am informed that the county council considered Mr. Carver's application, but having ascertained that he required a piece of land on which to build a cottage, and not for cultivation, they decided that the application was not one which came within the provisions of the Act.
§ Mr. OUTHWAITEIf an application is refused has the applicant any right to receive from the small holdings committee the reasons why he is refused?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANI do not know whether the small holdings committee is under an obligation to give any reasons. In the present ease the decision of the small holdings committee was right. The Small Holdings Act provides that land intended for small holdings must not be used for building purposes.
§ 86. Mr. RENDALLasked whether Robert Gladdon applied to the Norfolk small holdings committee for a small holding on the 19th day of March, 1911; that his application was in due course approved; that he has since repeatedly asked the small holdings committee to satisfy his approved requirements; will the right hon. Gentleman say if any land whatever has been offered this man during the whole of this period of one year and eleven months; and, if not, will he state why this has not been done?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANI am informed that the county council are not satisfied that the applicant has sufficient capital, and, in the absence of any satisfactory evidence on that point, they do not propose to take steps to acquire land for him.
§ Mr. RENDALLIs it not the fact that the land was originally approved for small holdings?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANI believe it was approved, subject to there being sufficient capital to work a holding of that size, and it was ascertained that he had not got that capital.