HC Deb 18 April 1939 vol 346 cc160-1
43. Mr. Craven-Ellis

asked the Minister of Labour what is the total number of men who have been found employment in the experimental land cultivation schemes initiated by the Commissioner for the Special Areas; how many are married; what is the total of their families; what area of land now in cultivation has been brought into the schemes; what is the number of schemes, and in what part of the country have they been located; from what areas have the men and their families been drawn; what has been the total cost, including the purchase of land, administration, the removal of men, agricultural implements, housing, agricultural buildings, etc.; and is it possible at this stage of the experiment to say if it will be able to meet all its obligations?

The Minister of Labour (Mr. Ernest Brown)

I assume that my hon. Friend is referring to the experimental schemes for providing the unemployed with whole-time occupation and a full livelihood by means of land settlement. In reply, I would refer him to Part VIII and Appendix XV of the report of the Commissioner for the Special Areas (England and Wales) for the year ending 30th September, 1938, Cmd.5896. These experimental schemes are provided solely for married men with families. Apart from the seven rural tenants, who had been established on certain estates for demonstration purposes and 17 out of the 22 permanent employés of the Co-operative Farms, organised by the Welsh Land Settlement Society, the whole of the families recruited for settlement in connection with these schemes had been formerly resident in the Special Areas. Up to 30th September, 1938, the estimated expenditure on whole-time land settlement, excluding the cost of allowances from the Unemployment Assistance Board during training was£1,825,000. As regards the last part of the question, my hon. Friend will note from the Commissioner's report that the experiment is the subject of inquiry by an independent committee under the chairmanship of Sir William Dampier, whose report is expected at an early date.

Mr. Craven-Ellis

Can my right hon. Friend say how the expenditure to which he has referred is apportioned over the number of areas put under cultivation?

Mr. Brown

Perhaps my hon. Friend will refer to the report, where he will find a large number of figures, and if he then desires to know anything further, I shall be glad to look into it.