HC Deb 11 August 1913 vol 56 c2059
47. Mr. F. HALL

asked the Prime Minister if the proposals put forward by the Lord Advocate for dealing with the land problem in England in the speech made by him at Brislington on the 19th July represented the views of the Government as a whole or only his own individual opinions; if the latter, whether the Government is considering any suggestion for raising agricultural wages at the expense of landowners by a compulsory reduction of farm rents to counterbalance such rise; and what course it is proposed to adopt in cases in which the rents now obtaining show a bare profit, if any, to the landlord?

The PRIME MINISTER

I understand that any suggestions which the Lord Advocate may have offered in the speech referred to, expressed only his own opinions. As regards the last part of the question, I am not prepared to anticipate the proposals of the Government on the subject.

Mr. F. HALL

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider the advisability of introducing a Bill to disendow landowners on the same basis as the Welsh Church Disestablishment Bill?

Mr. OUTHWAITE

Is the hon. Member aware that if this land only pays a bare profit now if it is disendowed he will get nothing?