§ 39. Mr. GROVESasked the Minister of Agriculture how many of the smallholdings provided under the Land Settlement Act, 1919, have since been abandoned and disposed of; and what has been the average loss incurred on each holding and the maximum loss in any one case?
§ Sir J. GILMOURSeparate figures are not available relating to holdings provided under the Land Settlement (Facilities) Act, 1919. During the period 31st December, 1926, to 31st December, 1931, the total area of land acquired by councils for smallholdings prior to the passing of the Small Holdings and Allotments Act, 1926, and still retained by them, declined by 16,083 acres, and the number of tenants by 1,841. This decrease is mainly due to holdings being sold to the tenants, and to councils' leases expiring and not being renewed. In the latter case the smallholdings do not necessarily disappear. It is not possible to give further details without circularising all the councils concerned and I do not see my way to do this.
§ 40. Mr. GROVESasked the Minister of Agriculture whether any of the smallholdings provided under the Small Holdings and Allotments Act, 1926, have been abandoned on account of the holders proving unsuitable or failing to fulfil the terms of their agreements; and what has been the loss involved in each case where such holdings have been disposed of?
§ Sir J. GILMOURI am not aware of any case where land acquired under the Small Holdings and Allotments Act, 1926, has been given up for the reasons stated, though there have no doubt been changes of tenancy owing to the unsuitability of individual tenants. Any such changes are not notified to my Department, the holdings being provided and managed by county councils or councils of county boroughs.