§ 29. Mr. HANNONasked the Secretary for Scotland the aggregate losses upon the small-holding colonies in Scotland in respect of estate management and farm management, respectively, as on the 31st March, 1924; and whether, seeing that the total losses under each of these heads were £150,419 and £78,200, respectively, on 31st March, 1923, he proposes to take any measures to put these schemes on a self-supporting basis?
Mr. ADAMSONThe accounts relating to the period ended 31st March, 1923, have recently been published, and as the corresponding accounts for the following 1879 year will not be completed until towards the end of the current financial year I cannot give the aggregate figures desired by the hon. Member at present. With regard to the second part of the question, I would remind the hon. Member that Parliament has fully recognised the importance and value of land settlement to the country, especially in relation to its responsibility to the ex-service men, and that this national policy must inevitably cost money. Everything practicable, however, is being done to minimise the loss.
§ Mr. HANNONDoes the right hon. Gentleman propose to continue this scheme indefinitely without regard to the cost to the country as evidenced by the figures set out in my question?