16. Major NEWMANasked the President of the Board of Agriculture how much land for the purpose of settlement thereon of those who have served or are serving in the forces has been acquired under the Sailors and Soldiers (Gifts for Land Settlement) Act or similar legislation; how many men are now actually in occupation of their holdings; how many are under instruction; and how many have applied or signified their desire to obtain a portion of land?
§ Sir R. WINFREYUnder the Sailors and Soldiers (Gifts for Land Settlement) Act, 1916, the Board accepted a gift of 312 acres from a gentleman at Bosbury, in Hereford. A further gift of 500 acres 1764 from the same gentleman has been offered, subject to certain conditions with which the Board hope to be able to comply. The Board obtain vacant possession of the 312 acres in February next.
Under the Small Holding Colonies Act, 1916, the Board have acquired a total area of, approximately, 6,000 acres in four colonies. Possession of one colony in Wales was only obtained at Michaelmas. Twenty-seven men are now in occupation of their holdings; 16 are under instruction; and 389 have signified their desire to obtain a portion of land; of these 116 are still serving with His Majesty's Forces.