§ 41. Mr. T. Williamsasked the Minister of Agriculture when the last survey of the conditions of farm buildings was made; who conducted the survey; and what report was made to his Department?
§ Sir R. Dorman-SmithI am not aware of any survey of the conditions of farm buildings in England and Wales. The second and third parts of the question, therefore, do not arise.
§ Mr. WilliamsCan the Minister say when the Government are going to take advantage of the Land Equalisation Act, 1931, and make a survey of farm buildings?
§ 42. Mr. Williamsasked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware of the dilapidated condition of all the farm buildings at the Woodlands Farm, Sykehouse, near Goole; that the landlord de clines to improve them or to give written consent for the tenant to improve them; and will he take steps to compel the land lord to restore these buildings, and make efficient farming possible?
§ Sir R. Dorman-SmithI am not aware of the dilapidated condition of the buildings on Woodlands Farm and have no knowledge of the circumstances out of which the question arises. It might be that the tenant is in a position to make use of the provisions of paragraph (29) of Part III of the First Schedule to the Agricultural Holdings Act, 1923.
§ Mr. WilliamsIs the right hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that the conditions of this farm typify conditions in every county in all parts of the country; and does not he think that the time has now arrived when, instead of giving a direct financial subsidy for one commodity or another, he ought to do something with regard to farm buildings to enable tenant farmers to make efficient farming possible?
§ Sir R. Dorman-SmithI do not accept those premises.