§ 22. Captain HEILGERSasked the Minister of Agriculture whether he will take steps to initiate a few demonstration smallholdings on the outskirts of large industrial towns which will serve as training centres for unemployed men desiring to become smallholders?
§ Major ELLIOTUnder the Statutes at present in operation the responsibility for providing smallholdings rests with county councils, but they would not be empowered to carry out such a proposal as that suggested by my hon. and gallant Friend. The only provisions which would allow effect to be given to his suggestion are contained in the Agricultural Land (Utilisation) Act, 1931, and, as he is aware, it has not been found possible in the present financial stringency to provide the necessary funds to enable this Act to be operated. I am therefore not in a position to adopt the suggestion.