HC Deb 22 February 1927 vol 202 cc1559-60
23. Major Sir ARCHIBALD SINCLAIR

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the number of new holders registered on lands acquired by negotiations initiated since the present Government came into power, and the total acreage, total cost, and average annual rent of holdings formed on land thus acquired?

The SECRETARY of STATE for SCOTLAND (Sir John Gilmour)

The number of holders settled on schemes initiated since the present Government came into power is 117, of whom 43 have been formally registered by the Land Court. The schemes, when completed, will provide for an additional 21 new holdings. The total area made available is 8,061 acres. The total gross cost of carrying the schemes to completion is estimated at £107,600, of which part is recoverable, and the average rent per holder is £11 6s.

Sir A. SINCLAIR

Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that, unless greater progress be made, it will take many years

— Number of years of pensionable service at date of withdrawal.
Under 5. 5–10. 10–15. 15–20. 20–25. 25–30. 30–35. 35–40. 40 and over. Total.
Men—
Retirement (age) — — 5 9 13 12 32 104 348 523
Retirement (infirmity) 2 1 2 2 2 9 19 12 — 49
Death — 5 11 8 8 15 22 17 10 96
Contributions repaid‡ 10 — — — 1 — — — — 11
Total 12 6 18 19 24 36 73 133 358 679
Women—
Retirement (age) — — 13 20 36 34 67 209 230 609
Retirement (infirmity) 11 8 24 40 42 32 42 29 — 228
Death — 25 19 27 22 20 19 17 7 156
Contributions repaid‡ 318 679 262 88 18 10 1 1 — 1,377*
Total 329 712 318 175 118; 96 129 256 237 2,370

to overtake all the ex-service men's applications, and can he hold out any hope that the rate of progrese will be accelerated in the next year or two?

Sir J. GILMOUR

The rate of progress must be limited in respect of the cost, as well as of other factors.

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