§ 48. Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKEasked the Prime Minister what amount of public moneys has been expended in connection with settling ex-soldiers and others on the land in this country since the Armistice; how many persons, men, women, and children, have been so settled; what has been the cost per head to the State; and will he say how many acres of land have been purchased by the State, and how many acres have been given to the State by private owners?
Sir A. BOSCAWENI have been asked to reply. As the answer is necessarily somewhat lengthy, I propose, with my hon. Friend's permission, to circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.
§ Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKEAs this question was put down in order that the House might have the specific information before it, will not the right hon. Gentleman endeavour to answer some part of the question?
§ Mr. SPEAKERThe answer will be in the possession of the House when it appears in the OFFICIAL REPORT.
§ The following is the answer:
§ The amount of capital moneys so far issued by the Public Works Loan Board 1341 to County Councils and Councils of County Boroughs in England and Wales under the terms of the Land Settlement (Facilities) Act, 1919, is £10,357,933 and the amount spent by the Ministry on its own Farm Settlements is £712,405, making a total of £11,070,338. Commitments of Councils, including the provision of cottages and farm buildings on land acquired, whether by purchase for cash or annuities or on lease, will add a further £4,321,022, making a total of £15,391,360, as nearly as may be ascertained.
§ In reply to the second part of the question, no statistics exist as to the families of settlers, but the number of settlers put on the land since the Armistice (including the Ministry's Farm Settlements) is 13,317 ex-service and 1,674 civilians, which figures include some lettings to smallholders on estates acquired before the Armistice. It is anticipated that 4,400 more men will be settled within the next few months on land acquired by Councils for settlement purposes, but not yet in hand or fully equipped; the capital cost of these holdings is included in the total figure of £15,391,360.
§ In reply to third part of the question, the figures are not available, as the numbers of smallholders' families are unknown.
§ In reply to the last part of the question, 277,296 acres have been acquired by Councils and by the Ministry and 923 acres have been made available for the settlement of ex-service men under three gifts, one in respect of 757 acres, one in respect of 117 acres, and the other in respect of 49 acres.
§ For information as regards Scotland, I would refer my hon. Friend to my right hon. Friend the Secretary for Scotland.