§ 77. Mr. HAYDAYasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture whether the Board have notified county councils that discharged soldiers are not to be settled on isolated holdings; whether he is aware that, in consequence, discharged soldiers who have been promised small holdings on which they could occupy part of their time in their own village have now been informed that the promise must be withdrawn; whether he will explain the reason for this decision; and whether the matter will be reconsidered?
Sir A. BOSCAWENThe Ministry's policy is, wherever possible, to group small holdings together, so that settlers, by co-operative purchase and marketing, may have the best chance of securing a good livelihood. Councils have, however, been encouraged to provide ex-service men who have other occupations with land, without equipment, in the neighbourhood of their homes, and I am not aware that any suitable ex-service applicants of this type have been refused land for the reason given by the hon. Member. If he will send me particulars of the cases he mentions, I will enquire into them.