83. Mr. SHINWELLasked the Under-Secretary to the Scottish Board of Health whether he is aware that ex-service men who occupy small holdings at Parkhead, Linlithgow, are paying in some instances £4 per acre for land which was formerly valued at 30s. per acre; whether any complaints have been received with regard to the condition of the roads in the vicinity and the difficulty experienced in transport; and whether it is proposed to improve the hut accommodation at present provided for these men?
§ Captain ELLIOT (Parliamentary Under-Secretary for Health, Scotland)The rent paid by the former tenant under a pre-War lease was 35s. per acre. The new holders pay an average rent per acre of 23s. 1d. for land and, in addition, 31s. 2d. for repayment of loans for buildings. The Board have agreed to provide road metal for the repair of roads, but the holders have not fulfilled their undertaking to cart and spread the metal supplied. The answer to the third part of the question is in the negative.
Mr. SHINWELLWill the hon. and gallant Gentleman make some inquiry into the complaints made by these ex-service men to ascertain whether the facts are as stated, end deal with the matter when he has made inquiries?
§ Captain ELLIOTI have already made inquiries into the facts as stated, and I do not find, for instance, any single case of a, payment of £ an acre being made by these ex-service men.
Mr. SHINWELLWill the hon. and gallant Gentleman make inquiry into the allegations made with regard to the condition of the roads in the vicinity and the difficulty of transport and the appalling conditions under which these men are living on the allotments?
§ Captain ELLIOTI will certainly look further into the matter, but there is a quite definite statement as to the fact that the men have not carried out their side of the undertaking.