48. Captain TERRELLasked the Prime Minister whether, in view of his suggestion that Members of Parliament could give material assistance by stimulating the efforts of local authorities in their constituencies in the direction of the land settlement of ex-service men, he is aware that the quotas allotted to the various counties are being exhausted, although, as in Oxfordshire, where the percentage of men settled is only 23, the progress is deplorably slow; and how he suggests that Members' aid should be more fully employed?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWIt is true that in some counties The equipment of the land already acquired will absorb the unexpended balance of the original quota allotted by the Ministry of Agriculture in its circular of 31st July last. In other counties, there is a substantial margin unallocated to acquisition of land or its equipment; for example, in Oxfordshire, where approval has been given to schemes involving an expenditure estimated by the county council to amount to £160,836 out of a quota of £212,000. In addition, however, to the original quota, a further sum of £4,000,000 has been placed at the disposal of The councils of England and Wales to be employed in equipping land acquired by lease, for county annuities and for cash raised locally by councils, on terms set out in the Ministry's circular of 6th November last. I am sure that Members of Parliament can give valuable help by taking a personal interest in the subject in their constituencies, for example, in urging landowners to place at the disposal of county councils land suitable for the settlement of ex-service men, the sale to be in consideration of county annuities.