§ 18. Sir W. DAVISONasked the Minister of Agriculture whether in view of the fact that the administration of Crown lands rests with only two individuals, namely, the Minister of Agriculture ex officio and a permanent civil servant, who has equal powers to the Minister, and in view of the heavy duties which have now to be discharged by the Minister of Agriculture in connection with agricultural matters, he will consider the desirability of reorganising the administration of Crown lands on a somewhat wider basis and with greater Parliamentary control?
§ Major ELLIOTThe matters to which my hon. Friend refers are receiving the careful consideration of His Majesty's Government.
§ Sir W. DAVISONIn view of the Questions on the Paper, does not the right hon. and gallant Gentleman realise the desirability of dealing with this matter promptly?
§ Major ELLIOTThe matter is actually under review at the present time, and it is my desire that it should be dealt with promptly.
13. Marquess of HARTINGTONasked the Minister of Agriculture what were the total sums paid for agency, surveyors', and solicitors' fees by the Commissioners of Crown Lands in the years 1927 and 1931?
§ Major ELLIOTAs the answer contains a table of figures, I will, with permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.
Marquess of HARTINGTONAs the reply contains only two figures, could not my right hon. and gallant Friend see his way to give it now?
§ Major ELLIOTNo, I have broken them up under various headings, and, as a matter of fact, it contains eight figures.
| Year ended 31st March. | Agency Services. | Surveyors Fees. | ||||
| Salaried Pensionable Officers. | Salaried non-Pensionable Officers. | Officers paid on Commission. | ||||
| £ | £ | £ | £ | |||
| 1928 | … | … | 6,781 | 1,524 | 10,161 | 17,213 |
| 1932 | … | … | 5,905 | 1,500 | 9,977 | 11,747 |
§ Of the fees paid to surveyors approximately £5,000 in the year ended 31st March, 1928, and £6,000 in the year ended 31st March, 1932, were recovered from third parties. All the above sums were paid out of the land revenues of the Crown. The charges for legal assistance for the Office of the Commissioners of Crown Lands in respect of property in England and Wales is a charge upon the Vote for the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries and no separate figures can be given.