§ 60. Mr. Thorneasked the Minister of Agriculture what amount of rent was received from Crown Land tenants for the year ended 31st March, 1938; what amount of rent is now owing by the tenants; whether the arrears of rent have been reduced or increased; and whether the total rents have been increased or reduced?
§ Mr. W. S. MorrisonThe total of the net rents received by the Commissioners of Crown Lands from all their tenants for the year 31st March, 1938, was £1,822,000. The arrears at the same date were £284,000, an increase of £9,000 as compared with the preceding year. The total rents for the year 31st March, 1938, were £77,000 above the rents for the preceding year.
§ Mr. ThorneDid the tenants give any reason why they could not pay their rents?
§ Mr. MorrisonThe hon. Member will be aware that during the financial year a large number of changes take place in tenancies and also in rents, so that it is not possible to give an accurate picture of the entire situation until the end of the financial year. I might then be able to answer the hon. Member's question better.
§ Mr. T. WilliamsCan the right hon. Gentleman say whether these arrears of £284,000 are all arrears due from farmers?
§ Mr. MorrisonNo, Sir, I do not think so, but I could not give an answer to that question without notice.
§ Mr. LevyDo not these figures show that the State is a very bad landlord and that it is better under private enterprise?