§ 66. Mr. BARNESasked the President of the Board of Agriculture, in regard to the Winterbourne Zelstone estate, Dorset, if he can give the amount of the assessment prior to the purchase by the county council and the amount at the present date; upon whom do they fall; and can he see his way to ordering a revaluation of the land and adaptations, with a view of easing the burden of small holders?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANI am in communication with the county council with a view to ascertain the amount of the assessments to which my hon. Friend refers in the first part of the question. If he will be good enough to repeat the whole question on Tuesday next, I hope to be able to give a full answer.
§ Mr. BARNESHas the right hon. Gentleman no information now as to the latter part of the question, where he is asked can he order a revaluation of the land and adaptations?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANI am not sure that it lies within my power to order a revaluation. I am looking into the whole question and will give a fuller reply.
§ Mr. BARNESHas the right hon. Gentleman no power at all to protect these poor tenants?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANI have considerable power vested in me and this I have exercised to the best of my ability. If anything could be done along the line of reassessment, I will confer with those authorities who have powers which I have not got myself.