HC Deb 06 April 1921 vol 140 cc258-9
59. Mr. W. R. SMITH

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware that Portobello Farm, near Potton, Bedfordshire, has been specially acquired through his Department for the provision of land for small holdings for ex-service men; whether, when the whole-of this land has been allotted, there will still be a large number of landless ex-service applicants in this part of the county; whether recently the county committee let some 10 acres to a civilian, who already has a fair acreage; whether this land has been let at a less rent than that demanded from ex-service men; and whether, in view of these facts, he will consider the possibility of having this land transferred to ex-service applicants who are still awaiting holdings?

Mr. TOWYN JONES (Lord of the Treasury)

The farm in question, which has been acquired by the Bedfordshire County Council, consists mainly of high class market garden land, but also comprises a proportion of low-lying meadows. The major portion of the farm has been sub-divided into 105 small holdings to provide ex-service men who served overseas, and who reside in the Parishes of Sutton and Potton with market garden land, but in order to let the house, buildings and certain of the meadows to the best advantage it was necessary to create one, larger holding of about 50 acres. This holding, which contains 10 acres of arable land, the area to which the hon. Member presumably refers, has not yet been let, although the council have made every effort to find an ex-service tenant for it. Meanwhile, in order that the land may not become derelict, the 10 acres are being cultivated temporarily on behalf of the council by an ex-service man, under the superintendence of his father, a local surveyor, but as there is no tenancy no question of rent arises. It is not considered advisable to take this 10 acres away from the 50-acre holding, as to do so would spoil the letting value of the holding. So far as the Ministry is aware there are no Sutton and Potton ex-service applicants who served overseas who have not been provided with land, and steps are being taken to acquire other land to satisfy the demand from any approved ex-service applicants in the neighbouring parishes.