§ 43. Mr. Parkerasked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware that the occupant of holding No. 45, at the Holbeach estate, Lincolnshire, last July, owing to serious flooding, caused by no fault of his own, lost a crop of potatoes valued by him at £80 to £90; that this has happened before in recent years; that, in the circumstances, a rebate of £9 has been allowed him from last year's rent and an addition has been made to the rent for the future on account of drainage; and whether he will reconsider this case, with a view to a further reduction of rent?
§ Mr. W. S. MorrisonI am aware that the tenant of the holding to which the 22 hon. Member refers has, with other tenants on the Holbeach estate, suffered loss due to flooding in the abnormal conditions of last July. Each case was considered on its merits before a rebate in rent was allowed, and I am not able to hold out hope of any further rebate. A small addition, amounting to 7s. 6d. per annum, has been made to the rent of holding No. 45 to meet half the cost of providing drainage to deal with abnormal weather conditions.
§ Mr. ButcherWill the right hon. Gentleman review the whole of the rents on these holdings, with a view to making sure that the terms are equitable and fair?
§ Mr. MorrisonThe rents of these holdings are constantly under review, and each case, as I said, will be judged on its merits.