HC Deb 17 November 1930 vol 245 c33
72. Mr. HORE-BELISHA

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he can give the House statistical evidence of the present demand by unemployed persons for settlement upon the land?

Dr. ADDISON

Under existing legislation a person who is not in possession of sufficient capital is not eligible for a smallholding. No formal applications have therefore been invited or received from unemployed persons, but from information obtained by voluntary organisations, such as the Society of Friends, in the course of their social activities and from correspondence which is reaching the Ministry, there is every indication that the demand will be very great if the Government's land settlement proposals are passed into law.