HC Deb 29 June 1954 vol 529 cc1096-7
35. Mr. Chetwynd

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the balance of the National Land Fund; how much has been spent; and on what projects.

Mr. R. A. Butler

The balance at 31st March, 1954, was £56,799,174. Since the inception of the Fund, £906,881 has been spent.

I will circulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT a list of the properties in respect of which payment has been made since the date of the last list supplied to the hon. Member.

Mr. Chetwynd

What steps is the Chancellor of the Exchequer taking to further the objects of the Fund?

Mr. Butler

I took special powers to pay for chattels in my last Budget. That is a further indication of my interest in using the Fund.

Sir H. Williams

Where is the Fund kept?

Mr. Butler

It is invested.

Mr. Grimond

Is interest earned by the capital of the Fund?

Mr. Butler

If the hon. Gentleman will put that question on the Order Paper, I will tell him. Receipts apart from interest amount to about £55,000.

Mr. Blenkinsop

Will the right hon. Gentleman make some of the Fund available for the National Parks Commission, for which purpose it was established?

Mr. Butler

I am aware of the reasons for which the Fund was established, and I will certainly use the Fund where I think it proper to use it.

Following is the information:

Following is the list of properties in respect of which payment has been made from the National Land Fund, since mid-1952. There were 27 earlier cases.

— Acreage Transferee
l. The High Close Estate, Ambleside. 535 National Trust.
2. Stoke Wood and Stoke Hill Farm, near Exeter. 196 Minister of Agriculture & Fisheries.
3. Mount Grace Priory, Northallerton, Yorkshire. 10 National Trust.
4. Highstand Wood and Farm, near Carlisle. 649 Minister of Agriculture & Fisheries.
5. Loch Alsh House, grounds & cottage, Balmacara, Ross-shire. 15 National Trust for Scotland.
6. "The Old Lifeboat House", Port Eynon, Glamorganshire. — Youth Hostels Trust of England & Wales.
7. Pare Le Breos Estate, Glamorgan-shire. 410 Minister of Agriculture & Fisheries.
8. Northchurch Estate (comprising three farms), Hertfordshire. 371 National Trust.
9. Kildermorie Estate, Ross-shire. 18,600 Secretary of State for Scotland.