§ 38. Mr. LEONARDasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what price per acre was to have been paid to the owners for the plots in December, 1932, offered to unemployed miners in Galston, Ayrshire; whether he is aware that many applications from miners were received 2403 but were unanimously refused when the Department asked them to pay at the rate of £2 8s. per acre; and whether steps will be taken to supply suitable land for unemployed Galston miners at a reasonable rent?
§ Sir G. COLLINSThe average rent per acre payable by the Department was £1 17s. 5d. equivalent to 4d. a week per half acre. In addition the Department had to meet charges for compensation to agricultural tenants and equipment. Plots were offered to applicants at a rent of 5½d. a week for a half-acre plot, including equipment, or £2 8s. per acre per annum, the first season to be rent free. As the result of representations by the applicants it was decided, as a special concession, to reduce the charge to 4d. a week per half acre which covered only the rental payable by the Department without any consideration for other outlays. This offer was not accepted and no further application for plots have been received from the Galston area. As the hon. Member is aware, I am anxious to encourage -unemployed persons to take up these plots, but I am not in a position to authorise more favourable terms than those already offered by the Department in this case.