HC Deb 07 May 1934 vol 289 cc729-30
23. Mr. MARTIN

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he can give particulars of schemes of land settlement undertaken by the Durham County Council; how many men or families have been put on to the land under such schemes; how much such schemes have cost the county council; and how much the Exchequer has contributed to such schemes?

Mr. ORMSBY-GORE

As the answer is long and involves a number of figures, it is proposed, with the hon. Member's concurrence, to circulate a statement in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Mr. MARTIN

Can the hon. Gentleman give me the last item—how much the Exchequer has contributed?

Mr. ORMSBY-GORE

The information is under a series of heads, and perhaps the hon. Member will read the answer.

Following is the statement :

1. Land acquired between 1st January, 1908, and 31st March, 1926.

The County Council hold an area of 3,995 acres let to 222 individual tenants and 11 associations comprising 483 tenants. The total expenditure for which loans were raised for the cost of acquisition and equipment of the land for smallholdings was £138,000. The whole of the annual loss incurred by the council is refunded from the Exchequer. Up to 31st March, 1926, the amounts so paid were the actual losses incurred, while from that date onwards the amounts are based on a valuation of income and expenditure at that date. The total payments made to the council up to 31st March, 1934, amounted to £115,481. The amount payable annually at the present time is just over £7,000, but will diminish as the loans are paid off.

2. Land acquired under the Smallholdings Act, 1926.

The council have acquired an area of 888 acres which is let to 31 individual tenants and two societies comprising 146 members. The estimated total capital expenditure is £36,371. The Ministry defrays 75 per cent. of the annual losses calculated on the basis of estimates made at the time of acquisition; the remaining part of the loss falls on the council's smallholdings account. The total of estimated losses on approved schemes up to 31st March, 1934, amount to £912, the Ministry's contribution thereto being £684. The estimated annual loss at the present time is £465, of which the Ministry pays £349. These amounts will diminish as the loans are paid off.