HC Deb 20 March 1922 vol 152 cc39-40
63. Mr. RENDALL

asked the Minister of Agriculture what powers he possesses with regard to granting abatements in the rents of ex-soldiers placed on smallholdings by the State and by county councils; in what counties and to what extent he has exercised such powers; and if he is aware that many of the fixed rents payable by these men are based on the prices given for the land, nearly double its present value?

Sir A. BOSCAWEN

County councils and councils of county boroughs are required by the Land Settlement (Facilities) Acts, 1919, to let small holdings provided under that Act at the best rent that can reasonably be obtained, and the same policy is followed by the Ministry in letting holdings provided under the Small Holding Colonies Acts, 1916–18. The Ministry's District Commissioners have been authorised to approve proposals submitted to them by local authorities in their areas for granting abatements of rent to individual small holders whenever they are satisfied that such abatement is necessary, but I regret that I am not in a position to say in how many counties remissions have been granted. With regard to the last part of the question, I cannot accept my hon. Friend's suggestions that the value of agricultural land has fallen by nearly 50 per cent., nor that the rents charged to ex-service small holders have been fixed in relation to the original cost of the land.

Mr. RENDALL

Have any abatements actually been yet granted?

Sir A. BOSCAWEN

Yes, I think that is so. The matter has been left to the local authorities who are the owners of these small holdings to make representations to our Commissioners, who have full power to make abatements.

Mr. RENDALL

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there has been great delay in granting these abatements that have been applied for by councils?

Sir A. BOSCAWEN

No, Sir, I am not aware of that, and I do not think that that is the case.

Lieut.-Colonel MURRAY

Is the abatement particularly in respect of the fact that the man is an ex-soldier, or for some other reason?

Sir A. BOSCAWEN

We are dealing exclusively with ex-soldiers, under the Land Settlement (Facilities) Act.