§ 43. Mr. GRUNDYasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Agriculture whether he can supply any literature or memoranda showing the progress made in the settlement of ex-service men on the land, the general conditions of the scheme, the amount of land taken over, and the average rent charged?
Sir A. BOSCAWENI am sending the hon. Member a Memorandum recently 1233 issued to the Press, which shows the progress made in regard to the settlement of ex-service men on the land, together with copies of two booklets entitled "Land Settlement in the Mother Country," which contain information as to the general conditions of the scheme. The rents charged for holdings provided under the scheme are fair rents based on the present value of the land. The rent is approved by the Ministry in each case, but, as the value of land varies considerably in England and Wales, any figure as to the average rent charged would be misleading.
§ Mr. RAFFANCan the right hon. Gentleman say whether any applications for settlement in farm colonies can now be received, or whether all ex-soldiers are referred to the County Council?
§ Mr. WATERSONWill it be made possible for every Member of the House to be acquainted with that pamphlet?
Sir A. BOSCAWENCertainly I do not propose to send it round to every hon. Member, but if any hon. Member likes to apply for it, I will gladly send it to him. With reference to the question of my hon. Friend (Mr. Raffan), the applications for farm colonies are not closed. We have lately bought a considerable amount of additional land for the purpose, and men are now being settled on it.