§ 55. Mr. LLOYDasked the Minister of Agriculture what loss has been incurred on the Heath Hill small-holding colony since the Board took it over in April, 1918; what is the present position of this undertaking; and whether steps have been taken to put it on a sound basis and the staff largely reduced?
Sir A. BOSCAWENAs stated in the Ministry's Report recently presented to Parliament (Command Paper 1184, of 1921), the accounts of the Settlement in question showed a total loss on estate and farming accounts of £7,344 18s. 6d. up to 31st March, 1920. The complete balance-sheet up to 31st March last is now in course of preparation, but is not yet completed. Steps have been taken to divide the whole of the property into small-holdings. The Central Farm will disappear and the director's appointment will terminate as from Michaelmas next.
§ Mr. ORMSBY-GOREIs it not a fact that many of these holdings were considered much too small to be economic, considering the quality of the land and the cost?