§ 82. Mr. HAYDN JONESasked the Minister of Agriculture! what reduction in the Ministry's staff has resulted from the repeal of Sections 1 to 21 of the Small Holdings Act, 1908; what number of district commissioners and sub-commissioners are now required in place of the eight small holdings commissioners appointed under the Small Holdings Act, 1908; and what duties they perform which were not performed by the small holdings commissioners and which have now ceased by reason of the passing of the Small Holdings Act, 1926?
§ The MINISTER of AGRICULTURE (Mr. Guinness)The District Land Commissioners employed by the Ministry are still engaged to a large extent on work connected with the valuation which is being made in accordance with the Land Settlement (Facilities) Amendment Act, 1925. This work will not be completed for several months. As soon as practicable, the Ministry proposes to review the staffing of its Land Division; but I would remind the hon. Member that, as 1870 I explained when the Act of last Session was before the House, almost the whole of the Sections of the Act of 1908 to which he refers were re-enacted in the Act of 1926, with the exception of the power of the Minister to act in default, which power was only once exercised during the years 1908–1919.