§ 70. Mr. ROYCEasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture whether, in view of the fact that the Board of Agriculture in their leaflets have recently stated that holdings of less than 30 acres are rarely sufficient to support a family, the Government nevertheless intends to offer to ex-soldiers great numbers of holdings of under 5 acres?
Sir A. BOSCAWENThe extract from the leaflet to which the hon. Member refers is concerned with holdings for "Mixed Farming." The leaflet goes on to state that "under favourable conditions where an intensive system of culture has been adopted success can be achieved on holdings of 3 to 5 acres." The holdings of less than 5 acres are, however, in the main intended for men who obtain the principal part of their livelihood by working for wages, but who desire a small area of land for cultivation or for keeping some live stock. The Board have evidence that a large number of ex-Service men desire such holdings.
§ Mr. ROYCEWill the hon. Gentleman take into consideration that with 5 acres a man will require some other occupation?
Sir A. BOSCAWENI would ask my hon. Friend to await the introduction of the Land Settlement Bill, when I shall be in a position to make a full statement.