67. Brigadier-General BROWNasked the Minister of Agriculture what is the average rent per acre paid by the small-holders in Berkshire for county council holdings; whether any reduction of rent has been given to tenants unable to meet their liabilities owing to this season; 361 and whether any other county councils are giving a temporary reduction of rent to their tenants on this account?
§ Mr. GUINNESSI would remind my hon. and gallant Friend that as from the 31st March, 1926, councils have taken over the entire responsibility for their small holdings, and now deal with all questions of estate management without reference to my Department. According to the latest information in my possession the average rent per acre of small holdings provided by the Berkshire County Council is 34s. It will be understood, however, that it is not possible to compare the average rent per acre of small holdings, many of which include a dwelling-house, with the rent per acre of larger farms. I am not aware that any general reductions or abatements of rent are being allowed either in this or any other county.
Brigadier-General BROWNMay I ask whether it is not the fact that in many cases private landowners are giving great reductions of rent? Why cannot the county council do the same?
§ Mr. GUINNESSI really have no information which would allow me to generalise in respect of that.