§ 49. Colonel ASHLEYasked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that great delay is occurring in the equipment of the small holdings of approved ex-service men, and that at the present rate of progress no buildings for the men or their stock will, in most instances, be available before the winter; and whether, under these circumstances, he will issue instructions that the small-holding committees of the county councils shall be granted the same privileges for the free acquisition of huts and material from the Disposal Board for the assistance of these ex-service men as are now accorded to the Territorial Force associations for the housing of the Territorial Force?
The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the MINISTRY of AGRICULTURE (Sir A. Boscawen)In the present state of the building trade, some delay in the erection of new cottages and farm buildings is inevitable, but the county councils and the Ministry are arranging, wherever practicable, to adapt existing buildings in order to settle ex-service men on the land as quickly as possible. In view of the fact that the whole of any losses incurred on land settlement schemes falls to be met from public funds, there would not appear to be any object in allowing discount in respect of huts acquired by county councils for this purpose.
§ Colonel ASHLEYMay I be assured by my right hon. Friend that, as a matter of fact, he can get enough huts from the Disposal Board to put these ex-service men on the land?
Sir A. BOSCAWENYes, as far as possible, but I do not think that hutting men for land settlement is a good solution of the problem.
§ Colonel ASHLEYI quite agree.