§ 50. Mr. G. Williamsasked the Minister of Agriculture why no arrangements were made for the accounts of the Land Commission for the year ended 31st March, 1949, to be printed till 20th March, 1950.
Mr. T. WilliamsArrangements were made for the accounts to be included in 1387 the Second Report of the Agricultural Land Commission which was laid before Parliament and ordered to be printed on 29th November, 1949.
§ Mr. G. WilliamsIs the Minister aware that stale accounts are worth only half the value of accounts when they are fresh and, also, that the delay of the accounts for a year looks very bad on the part of His Majesty's Government?
Mr. T. WilliamsYes, Sir, but the hon. Gentleman must be aware that printed copies of the Report were available on 16th January, 1950.
§ Mr. AwberyCan my right hon. Friend say if the potato acreage is determined by his Department, or left to the haphazard discretion of the farmers?
§ 51. Mr. G. Williamsasked the Minister of Agriculture why, according to the accounts of the Land Commission, salaries and wages of £3,685 were needed to collect rents of £4,304.
Mr. T. WilliamsThe small acreage of land under the Commission's control during the first year of operation accounts for the high overhead charges as compared with receipts from rents. If, however, the hon. Member has read the report of the Commission, he will appreciate that the functions of estate management are not limited to the collection of rent, and that during the year the Commission spent much time in inspecting properties placed under their charge and considering the works of repair and improvement which were necessary on most of them.
§ Mr. G. WilliamsAs it is to cost this money, perhaps the right hon. Gentleman will give an estimate of what it will cost the country if the land is nationalised?
Mr. T. WilliamsIf the hon. Gentleman will read the Land Commission's report I think he will change his mind.