§ 56. Sir RICHARD WINFREYasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture whether the Board propose to give consent to the purchase of a farm by the Isle of Ely County Council, in the parish of Thorney, for the purpose of small holdings for discharged soldiers at the price of £80 per acre, seeing that His Grace the Duke of Bedford sold this land about ten years ago for £35 per acre; and, if so, what will be the approximate rents charged to the new occupiers after the land has been equipped by the erection of houses and suitable buildings so as to permit of holdings of from 30 to 50 acres being created?
Sir A. BOSCAWENThe Board have not received any proposal from the Isle of Ely County Council to purchase a farm at Thorney. If such a proposal is received the value of the land and its price will be carefully considered before the Board a sanction is given.