23. Major - General Sir ROBERT HUTCHISONasked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many smallholders have purchased their holdings since the War?
§ Sir J. GILMOURI regret that the information asked for by the hon. and gallant Member is not available.
§ Sir R. HUTCHISONIs there any chance that the right hon. Gentleman will be able to get that information?
§ Sir J. GILMOURI should be glad to discuss it with the hon. and gallant Gentleman, but I think it will probably be difficult to get it.
§ 40. Mr. SHEPHERDasked the Minister of Agriculture the number of smallholders in the County of Durham; the average size of each holding; the number of applications for such received each year since 1918; the number refused; and the average amount received in rent per acre for the years 1918 and 1926, respectively?
Mr. GUINNESSI assume that the question refers to statutory small holdings. As the answer contains a number of figures, I propose, with the hon. Member's permission, to circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.
§ Following is the answer:
§ The number of individual smallholders occupying land under the Durham County Council is 214, and the average size of their holdings is approximately 18 acres. In addition, there are 11 small holdings and allotments societies occupying an average of 35 acres, the number of members of such societies being 565.
§ The number of applications received and rejected in each year since 1918 is:
| Received. | Rejected. | |||
| 1918 | … | … | 8 | — |
| 1919 | … | … | 540 | — |
| 1920 | … | … | 446 | 139 |
| 1921 | … | … | 94 | — |
| 1922 | … | … | 31 | — |
| 1923 | … | … | 51 | — |
| 1924 | … | … | 52 | — |
| 1925 | … | … | 45 | 4 |
| 1926 | … | … | 18 | — |
| 1927 | … | … | 50 | 7 |
§ The average rent receved per acre was in 1918 £1 10s. 6d., and in 1926 £1 18s., but the two figures are in no way comparable.