§ 17. Mr. Dyeasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many new statutory smallholdings have been established during the current year; and how many approved applicants there are on the waiting lists of the smallholdings authorities in England and Wales.
§ Mr. John HareThe latest available figures, for the year ended 31st March. 1958, are 15 and 8,316, respectively. The present policy of Her Majesty's Government is to improve conditions on existing smallholdings rather than encourage the acquisition of new ones.
§ Mr. DyeWill the right hon. Gentleman say what advice he is giving to all those people who are approved applicants waiting for smallholdings and continually asking their respective councils to provide smallholdings for them?
§ Mr. HareI think our policy is right; it is to see that existing smallholdings are brought up to proper standards before we launch out into new ventures.