§ 42. Mr. KINGasked the hon. Member for the Doncaster Division, as representing the Ecclesiastical Commissioners, if he will state how far it is the practice of the Ecclesiastical Commissioners to let farms with cottages for labourers to tenant-farmers; and whether, having regard to possible hardships falling on farm labourers living in tied houses, and the difficulties of securing proper sanitation and repairs in the case of sub-let houses, assurances will be given that in future lettings cottages attached to farms will be retained and let independently to tenants of the labouring class?
Sir C. NICOLSONThe course adopted by the Ecclesiastical Commissioners necessarily differs with the circumstances of their farms, but it is an ordinary practice for the labourers' cottages to be in-eluded in the letting to the tenant-fanner; cottages are regarded as a necessary part of the equipment of a farm, and where deficient are provided by the Commissioners. The maintenance of the cottages in sanitary condition and repair is not left to the tenant-farmer, but is supervised by the Commissioners through their agents. Having regard to the necessity that cottages attached to farms should be available for the labourers on those farms, the Commissioners are unable to give the assurance for which the hon. Member asks that farm cottages should be let independently of the farms.