§ 57. Mr. Attewellasked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is yet in a position to make an announcement as to the future relationships between his Department and the Land Settlement Association.
§ Mr. T. WilliamsYes, Sir. By an agreement to be made under Section 89 of the Agriculture Act, 1947, it has now been arranged that the Association will transfer to the State some 10,000 acres of agricultural land, most of it fully developed as smallholdings, in consideration of the remission of a debt of nearly £2 million for advances made by the Government to the Association for settling smallholders. A separate agreement has been drawn up under which the Association will continue to manage these estates as my agents. The executive committee of management will consist of seven members, of whom I shall appoint four, including the chairman and vice-chairman. Subject to confirmation by the members of the Association at their annual general meeting tomorrow, these arrangements will take effect as from 1st April next.