§ 77. Colonel WEDGWOODasked the Minister of Agriculture what is the number and total acreage of small holdings above one acre and under 50 acres in the county of Stafford; what number and acreage belong to the county council; how many approved applicants for holdings are there; how many applicants who are still awaiting interview; and what capital per acre is regarded as the minimum necessary for approval of any applicant?
Mr. GUINNESSThe number of small holdings above one acre and not exceeding 50 acres in the county of Stafford as recorded in the Agricultural Returns for 1926 was 7,104. The acreage of such small holdings is not known but the acreage of holdings in the same category in 1924 was 117,619 acres. The number of small holdings provided by the county council is 296 with an area of 6,900 acres. The number of approved applicants not provided with holdings according to the latest available information is 8O, and the number still awaiting interview or standing over 336. I am not in a position to say what amount of capital per acre the county council consider to be necessary. It would depend on the character of the holding.
§ Colonel WEDGWOODCan the right hon. Gentleman tell me whether there is any minimum in any county as to the amount of capital?
§ Colonel WEDGWOODIt varies from county to county?
Mr. GUINNESSUndoubtedly it would vary according to the quality of the land, and I should think there would be great variations in each county, according to the character of the holding.
§ 79. Mr. RILEYasked the Minister of Agriculture if he has already had applications from any county councils for sanction to go forward with small holding schemes under the new Small Holdings Act, 1926; and, if so, how many county councils have made such applications and the number of schemes submitted?
Mr. GUINNESSThe Act referred to does not require councils to apply to my Department for sanction to put the Act into operation in their areas. In the event of any council proposing to acquire land the sub-division of which into small holdings will in their opinion involve a financial loss, they are required by Section 2 of the Act to obtain the Ministry's approval to their proposals and estimates. One application has been received in accordance with this Section. It has been approved, and the Ministry has undertaken to pay the maximum contribution.
§ Mr. T. WILLIAMSAre we to understand from that reply that only one county council has sought permission to provide small holdings under the 1926 Act?
Mr. GUINNESSThe Act only came into force a few weeks ago, and naturally negotiations are necessary before offers of land can be brought before the Minister.
§ Mr. WILLIAMSIs the right hon. Gentleman not aware a that there are the names of tens of thousands of applicants already on the books of the county councils, and some of them have been there for years.
§ Mr. RILEYMay I ask if the Department has circularised the county councils calling attention to the provisions of the new Act?