§ 72. Mr. ROYCEasked the Minister of Agriculture if his attention has been drawn to the award of the official arbitrator relating to the Wellington allotment land at Skirbeck, Boston; whether the award will involve the payment by the ex-service allotment holders of rent at the rate of £16 per acre per year; whether the award was in excess of the amount asked by the owner of the land; and will he state what steps, if any, he will take to remedy this oppressive charge?
§ Sir J. GILMOURThe Ministry believes that the facts are as stated by the hon. Member, but the decision of an 1421 official arbitrator on any question of fact is final and binding on the parties, and the Ministry has no jurisdiction in the matter.
§ Mr. ROYCEMay I ask whether the Ministry will take some action in this matter, to upset a verdict which has been given in favour of the owner for an amount larger than that for which he asked?
§ Sir J. GILMOURI understand that the Ministry have no power to intervene in that. Perhaps the hon. Member might consult counsel with regard to it.
§ Mr. MILLSIs the hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that these are all ex-service men, that the original assessment was £32, that the difference between their calculation and the landlord's was £16, and that they are now being asked to pay a further £32? Is he also aware that the pre-War rent of this land was £32 per annum, and that the ex-soldiers are offering to pay £61?
§ Mr. SPEAKERThe hon. Member should give notice of those questions.