§ 79. Lord COLUM CRICHTON-STUARTasked the Minister of Agriculture 40 whether, having regard to the fact that a large proportion of the ex-service smallholders established on the land since the War are admittedly in acute financial distress, he will, in the interest of ex-service men themselves, discontinue for a time, if he has not already done so, the process of creating new agricultural holdings, and in the meantime take under review all the conditions hitherto governing their establishment?
§ Sir R. SANDERSFor reasons of economy, the Ministry has imposed, since July, 1920, such serious restrictions on the capital cost and annual loss of each new small holding created by councils, that the acquisition of additional land for the purpose has been practicable only in very exceptional circumstances. The suggestion in the first part of my Noble Friend's question is, therefore, in effect, actually being followed by my Department. I fully recognise the ex-service smallholders, in common with other agriculturists, are suffering as a result of the agricultural depression. Councils and the Ministry are doing everything in their power to alleviate the present difficulties by granting abatements where necessary, and in some cases by reducing the permanent rents.
§ Mr. H. H. SPENCERCan the right hon. Gentleman consider relieving these smallholders of rates on improvements?
§ Mr. SPEAKERThat question does not now arise.
§ 84. Mr. SHORTasked the Minister of Agriculture the number, if any, of ex-service men who are now being trained with a view to taking small holdings or finding employment in agriculture; and what prospects exist of their absorption within the industry?
§ Sir R. SANDERSThe scheme for training ex-service men in agriculture was finally closed on the 31st March, 1922, by which date all the men in training under the scheme had completed their courses. 4,995 men in all received training under the scheme, and, whilst it will he appreciated that it is extremely difficult to trace the movements of the men after leaving training, my Department has been able to obtain definite information that 2,500 have been absorbed into the industry, either as smallholders or as wage earners.
§ 85. Mr. SHORTasked the Minister of Agriculture the total number of ex-service men and others who have been settled on small holdings or upon the land under the land settlement scheme, and the cost of such settlement; can he say if any record is kept of the success or failure of such settlers; and, if so, what does the record indicate?
§ Sir R. SANDERSAs the reply is rather long, and includes a number of figures, I propose, with the hon. Member's permission, to circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.
Following is the answer:
The total number of ex-service men and others who have been settled on small holdings or upon the land in England and Wales since the inauguration of the Land Settlement Scheme is 19,112, in addition to which it is estimated that a further 1,422 will ultimately be settled on lands already acquired for small holdings but not yet equipped. The net total cost of acquisition of lands to date, including purchase price and legal expenses, etc., is approximately £9,965,000, and the estimated total cost of equipping the land is about £5,917,000. I have no complete record up to date of the number of settlers who have failed, but it is believed that the proportion of failures on the schemes provided by local authorities is not more than 5 per cent. The bad seasons and the agricultural depression have, unfortunately, placed smallholders, in common with all agriculturists, in an exceedingly difficult position, but, although it is too early to draw any general conclusion, the present indications are that the majority of the men settled will succeed in making a satisfactory livelihood.