§ 41. Mr. EDEasked the Minister of Agriculture the total rent roll of the post-War small holdings estates of county councils in England and Wales as fixed when the first tenants entered, the total sum allowed as abatement from such rent, and the maximum percentage of abatement so far sanctioned?
§ Sir R. SANDERSThe total of the rents originally fixed for the lands acquired and let for small holdings by county councils in England and Wales since the inauguration of the Land Settlement Scheme in 1918 is £663,491. Temporary abatements have been granted 1869 amounting to £141,060, of which £105,722 was for the 12 months ending Lady Day, 1923. With regard to the last part of the hon. Member's question, I am unable to say what is the maximum percentage of abatement granted by any county council, as remissions of rent have frequently been made to tenants, not only on account of the bad seasons and fall of prices, but also because of buildings being incomplete or land being foul on entry.
§ Mr. EDECan the right hon. Gentleman say whether these abatements are in fact made by the county councils or by the Ministry through the county councils, up to 31st March, 1926, until which date his Department is financially responsible?
§ Sir R. SANDERSI should like notice as to the definite legal point.
§ 42. Mr. EDEasked the Minister of Agriculture the total number of ex-service men settled on the land under the schemes of the various county councils of England and Wales; the total number of men who have surrendered or have given notice of their intention to surrender their holdings of their own accord; and the total number who have been given notice to quit by the county councils?
§ Sir R. SANDERSThe total number of ex-service men who have been settled on the land by county councils and the councils of county boroughs since the inauguration of the Land Settlement Scheme is 16,801. In addition, 472 ex-service men have been settled by the Ministry on its Farm Settlements. Up to Lady Day, 1923, the number of tenants who left their holdings for financial or similar reasons was 1,226, representing 6.5 per cent. of the men settled since the Armistice. I have no information as to how many of these men surrendered their holdings voluntarily or the number who were given notice to quit by councils, nor can I say how many men have given notice of their intention to surrender their holdings.
§ Mr. EDEHas the right hon. Gentleman the figures for those who did not surrender their holdings for financial or similar reasons? Those are the only reasons he gives in his answer, and I asked for the total number.
§ Sir R. SANDERSI think the number who left for other reasons is very small indeed.