§ 73. Mr. RENDALLasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture whether he will put forward the name of William J. Skuse, Tan House Cottage, Yate, Gloucestershire, a discharged pensioned soldier, unable to follow his occupation of a quarryman, and trying to support an invalid mother, for a small holding of fifteen acres and the grant of £25; and to what authority such a man should apply?
The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the BOARD of AGRICULTURE (Sir Arthur Boscawen)Mr. Skuse should apply to the Gloucestershire County Council who is the Small Holdings Authority for the district in which he lives. It will be necessary for him to satisfy the county council that he has the necessary experience to cultivate a holding of fifteen acres, and that he also possesses some capital. Neither the Board nor the council at present have any funds to make a grant of £25 to the man in question, but application might be made by him to the Secretary of the King's Fund, Ministry of Pensions. As regards the financial assistance it is proposed to give to ex-Service men who intend to take up small holdings, I would draw the hon. Member's attention to the provisions of the Land Settlement Bill.