HC Deb 16 March 1927 vol 203 cc2009-10
65. Sir FREDRIC WISE

asked the Minister of Agriculture what is the loss to the taxpayer over the Patrington settlement?

Mr. GUINNESS

As the accounts of this settlement are for the year ending on the 31st March, I regret that. I have no later figures than those contained in the reply which I gave to my hon. Friend on the 17th November last. The accounts for the current financial year, when completed, will include the results of the realisation of the farm and estate assets, but I am afraid that it will be impossible to complete these accounts for several months.

Mr. T. WILLIAMS

Will the right hon. Gentleman, in submitting a balance-sheet, place on it the saving in unemployment pay due to the increased number of men who were working on the Patrington Scheme under the Government, as compared with those who were working previously?

Mr. GUINNESS

As they would be agricultural workers, I think they would not have been in receipt of unemployment relief.

Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHY

Will the right hon. Gentleman give, in the final return, a list of the number of men who have been trained to agriculture in the colony?

Mr. GUINNESS

It was not an organisation for training, but an estate which was started on a profit-sharing basis.

Mr. WILLIAMS

If agricultural labourers would not have been in receipt of unemployment pay, would they not have had to resort to Poor Law relief?

Mr. GUINNESS

I am afraid I cannot answer hypothetical questions.