§ Mr. WEDGWOODasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture if he will state on what terms as to rate of interest and what proportion of total cost a farmer, anxious to buy a small holding, can obtain financial help from the county council or the Board of Agriculture, whether under the Act of 1908 or under previous Acts; what conditions have to be fulfilled; and what proportion of the cost of the land can be advanced?
§ Sir E. STRACHEY:The terms upon which a small holding can be purchased are set out in Sections 11, 12, and 19 of the Small Holdings and Allotments Act, 1908. The rate of interest payable by the purchaser would vary according to the rate of interest at which county councils can borrow, but, taking the latter at 3½ per cent., it is probable that 3¾ per cent, would be found sufficient to cover the interest payable by the county council and their incidental expenses.