§ 37. Mr. PALINGasked the Minister of Agriculture the number of applicants for small holdings in the last full year for which statistics are available; how many were provided with holdings; how many rejected as unsuitable; and what number of suitable applicants were unable to obtain holdings, and the reason why?
§ Mr. ELLIOTAccording to the returns received from county councils and county borough councils the number of applications in 1933 for small holdings under the Small Holdings and Allotments Acts, 1908–1926, was 2,690. The returns received from county councils do not show the results of these applications as distinguished from applications already listed at the beginning of the year. Altogether, however, 1,277 applicants were settled on holdings during the year, 423 applicants were rejected as unsuitable, 1,775 applications were withdrawn and 1,817 approved applicants were awaiting holdings at the end of the year. Reasons governing progress in the pro 2117 vision of email holdings by county councils are discussed on page 9 of the report of the land division of the Ministry for the year 1933.
§ Sir HERBERT SAMUELCan the right hon. Gentleman say how many applications had been previously listed?
§ Mr. ELLIOTI could not say without notice, but I think the number of applicants listed at the beginning of 1933 was 5,749.
§ Mr. PALINGWill the right hon. Gentleman take into account the difficulties of putting applicants who have been approved on the land and provide some help?
§ Sir THOMAS ROSBOTHAMIs it not the fact that many suitable applicants are prevented from taking up their holding on financial grounds, and will the right hon. Gentleman therefore consider making a loan in these cases?
§ Mr. ELLIOTI have no statutory powers in that respect, but I will certainly use what powers I have to help applicants or the local authority.