§ 67. Commander O. LOCKER-LAMPSONasked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware that the rent-roll in Huntingdonshire received by the county council from smallholders and ex-soldiers amounted in 1920 to £31,990 16s. 5d., of which not 1s. is in arrear, in spite of the fact that all the tenants are poor men; and whether, in view of this satisfactory situation, he will accelerate the overdue housing schemes for ex-soldier smallholders in Huntingdonshire?
Sir A. BOSCAWENThe Ministry is informed by the county council that the statement in the first part of my hon. Friend's question as to rents is substantially correct, the arrears outstanding at present being £60 only, all of which will be recoverable. I am glad to take this opportunity of congratulating the county council and the small holding tenants on the satisfactory position. The number of houses proposed for small holding schemes submitted by the county council is under 39 30. The council have hitherto experienced great difficulty in obtaining tenders at reasonable prices. Better tenders are, however, now being obtained, and several small schemes likely to meet the ascertained local demand are in course of approval by the Ministry.