53. Mr. H. D. Hughesasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many properties have now been accepted by the National Land Fund; to whom have they been transferred; what costs has the fund incurred to date; and what expenditure has the fund incurred in acquiring tracts of country for public use, and in assisting the National Trust and other appropriate bodies.
§ The Financial Secretary to the Treasury (Mr. Glenvil Hall)Seven properties have been accepted, at a total cost of about £275,000, of which five have been or are about to be transferred to the National Trust, one to the Youth Hostels Association and one to the Minister of Agriculture. This expenditure has served the purposes mentioned in the last part of the Question, but there is no statutory power to use the Fund 1448 for paying grants or for acquiring land other than land offered in lieu of Death Duties.
§ Mr. KeelingWill the right hon. Gentleman make it clear that the National Trust receives no annual grant from the State?