§ 45. Mr. RHYS DAVIESasked the Minister of Agriculture how many small holdings have been created in England and Wales and Scotland, respectively, under the Small Holdings Act, 1926, or under any other Acts, from 1st January, 1932, to date; the number of families settled on such holdings; the total acreage of these holdings; and the number of persons in England and Wales and Scotland, respectively, whose names are still on the list of applications for holdings?
§ The MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE (Major Elliot)The number of small holdings comprised in State-aided schemes approved by my Department since the 1st January, 1932, is 119, of which 88 are in England and 31 in Wales. The total area of these holdings is 3,019 acres. In addition, a few self-supporting holdings have been created by councils since the 1st January, 1932, but the exact number cannot be ascertained until returns are received at the end of the year. I regret that no figures are available as to the number of families settled on these holdings; the number of persons in England and Wales whose names were still on the council's lists of applications for holdings on the 31st December, 1931, was 5,611, of whom 2,217 had been approved. As regards Scotland, I must refer the Hon. Member to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland.
§ Mr. DAVIESWill the right hon. and gallant Gentleman do everything he can to speed up the machinery in order that the desire of these and many other applicants may be met?
§ Major ELLIOTI will do everything to promote the working of the scheme.