HC Deb 04 May 1915 vol 71 c986
69. Mr. HOGGE

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether he can state the number of applications for small holdings, enlargements, etc., from the passing of the Small Landholders Act, and how many cases have been dealt with?

Mr. McKINNON WOOD

Up to 31st March last there were 3,572 applications for new holdings, and 3,903 for enlargements. At that date 451 applicants for new holdings and 243 for enlargements had obtained entry. Several hundreds more are in process of being dealt with. Full particulars will be found in the Report of the board now in print and about to be published.

Mr. HOGGE

May we take it that the right hon. Gentleman will provide more assistance, more machinery and more money, because there are a great number who would like to be put on the land?

Mr. McKINNON WOOD

That is a very argumentative point which I cannot enter into in answer to a question.

71. Mr. MOLTENO

asked the Secretary for Scotland what is the average cost per holding of all the new small holdings established under the Small Holdings (Scotland) Act?

Mr. McKINNON WOOD

The question is a difficult one to answer. New holdings and enlargements are so often combined in the same scheme that it is difficult to separate them, and the cost in various parts of the country and under various circumstances differ so greatly that a statement of an arithmetical average would convey no real information.