§ 32. Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYasked the Minister of, Agriculture what funds the Crown Lands Office has at present at its disposal; what is the capital value of the present investments held by the office and the approximate annual income from these investments; what is the acreage of the land now administered by the office; how much has been bought and sold, respectively, during the last five years; and the total amounts realised and expended on the sale or purchase of land?
Mr. GUINNESSThe cash value of the securities held by the Commissioners of Crown Lands is £2,457,193; and the approximate annual income therefrom is £115,699. Exclusive of copyholds, held of the Crown, foreshores and areas in which the Crown owns the minerals but not the surface, the landed property extends to 226,000 acres, of which 108,000 acres are agricultural land, 6,500 acres are under timber and 81,800 acres of unenclosed wastes are subject to common rights. During the last five years about 9,900 acres of land have been sold, producing £458,000; and about 7,300 acres have been purchased at a cost of £356,000.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYIn view of these very large sums at the right hon. Gentleman's disposal and the very heavy transactions which have taken 24 place, would he consider the purchasing of 50 acres of land near Stonehenge which are threatened with building operations?
§ Mr. SPEAKERThat matter does not come within this question.