§ 63. Mr. SAVERYasked the Minister of Agriculture how many farms on Crown lands in the East Riding of Yorkshire are in hand; and what rent was obtained for each of them when last let?
§ Major ELLIOTSix farms comprising 3,705 acres on the Crown lands in the East Riding of Yorkshire are in hand. The rents of these farms when last let were £1,755 in respect of two farms formerly let together, £1,134, £644, £452, and £305.
§ Mr. SAVERYIs the Minister aware that the rents fixed for these farms are far in advance of the market value, and does he realise that the country might save thousands of pounds per annum if the State would relinquish its extravagant occupation of these lands and let them at reduced rentals to practical farmers?
§ Lord APSLEYIs it not a fact that an absentee landlord is always a bad landlord, and that the State must of necessity be an absentee landlord?
§ Major ELLIOTThe Crown Lands have in hand a smaller proportion of land than any other great estate.
§ Sir S. ROSBOTHAMCan the Minister tell us how much per acre this land is let at?
§ Major ELLIOTI am afraid that I should require notice of that question.