§ 1 Mr. ALBERT SMITHasked the President of the Board of Agriculture (1) whether he is aware that only six holdings out of nineteen on Upbrooks Farm, Clitheroe, are supplied with water; whether the, fencing put up is now broken down and has always been unsatisfactory and a cause of considerable expense to the smallholders; whether anything can be done to give these smallholders a fair chance to recoup themselves for the money they have laid out; (2) whether he is aware that the smallholders on Upbrooks Farm, Clitheroe, are being asked to pay from £6 3s. 4d. to £11 per acre for their holdings and house, exclusive of rates, water rents, etc., and, in addition, 4s. 9d. per acre for fencing and management charges; whether he will consider the desirability of reducing these charges; whether these holders can claim compensation if they find they are unable to meet the charges levied upon them; (3) whether the five cottages which were commenced in September, 1912, for the smallholders at Upbrooks Farm, Clitheroe, are now complete and, if so, what is their cost; whether they were let by tender or built by private contract; whether water has been installed; whether the whole cost of conveying water to the houses will be borne by the tenants; what are the rents proposed to be charged, exclusive of rates and water rent; and (4) whether the cost of preparing plans to convert an old disused mill into cottages for the smallholders of Upbrooks Farm, Clitheroe, which were rejected by the Clitheroe Town Council, will be added to the five new houses recently erected; who drew up the plans; and if the same person drew up the plans for the five new houses?
§ The PRESIDENT of the BOARD of AGRICULTURE (Mr. Runciman)There has been serious delay in completing the equipment of the smallholdings in question. So far as the water supply is concerned, I am informed by the county council that there was some difficulty in obtaining a necessary easement on adjoining property. In consequence of this, work upon the cottages and outbuildings also appears to have been suspended. The county council have not yet submitted to the Board their scheme for letting the holdings, and I cannot say at 802 present what rents will be charged. Meanwhile the Board will write again to the council urging them to complete all outstanding work of equipment without further delay, and I have instructed the Smallholdings Commissioner for the district to interview the tenants personally and inquire thoroughly into their complaints with regard to fencing and other matters. When I receive his report I will communicate with my hon. Friend.
§ Mr. A. SMITHIs not the right hon. Gentleman aware that the amounts stated in the question have been proposed to the men on the holdings as the rate they would be required to pay; if that is so, does he not think the amounts excessive?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANI am afraid I cannot express any opinion upon that: the scheme has not yet been submitted to the Board. Such information as I have did not come direct from the county council; as soon as I get their information I will deal with it.
§ Mr. A. SMITHMay I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he will not send down one of his advisers to these men who have made great sacrifices in order to give them such advice as will enable them to get the best out of their holdings?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANI am afraid my hon. Friend did not hear the last part of my answer. I said I have instructed the Small Holdings Commissioner for the district to go down and to interview each of the tenants personally, and to report to me at once.