§ 79. Mr. CAPEasked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware that on the 8th January, 1920, Seascale Parish 551 Council, unable to obtain small holdings and land for allotments by agreement, applied to Cumberland County Council regarding compulsory powers; that on the 6th February the county land agent replied that his committee would consider putting into force the compulsory Clauses of the Act, that on the 18th February the county land agent referred the parish council to the Ministry of Agriculture, and on the 25th February the parish council applied to the Ministry stating urgency; that on 1st April the Ministry informed the parish council that the county council would take the matter up at the earliest possible date; that on the 13th May the Ministry told the parish council to endeavour to procure land itself voluntarily before approaching the county council; that the parish council, again unable to acquire land by agreement on behalf of the ex-service men applicants through refusal of farmers, again applied to the county land agent; that on 9th December the county land agent inquired if the land would be properly cultivated; that on 10th December the parish council replied expressing the great dissatisfaction of the applicants at the delay; that on 6th December the county land agent personally investigated the case at Seascale; that on 30th December the parish council asked the county land agent the result of his report; that on 3rd January, 1921, the county land agent replied that he was authorised to investigate whether the Ministry will take this case up immediately with the county council; and whether Amendments will be made to the law to protect applicants for land, and especially ex-service men, against such extraordinary delay and dilatory procedure?
§ Sir R. SANDERSSo far as can be ascertained at present, the Ministry has had no correspondence with the Seascale Parish Council or the Cumberland County Council regarding this matter since 13th May last, and immediate inquiry will be made by one of the Ministry's Commissioners and the result communicated to the hon. Member.