§ Sir RANDOLF BAKERasked the President of the Local Government Board whether he is aware that only thirteen years are allowed by the Board for the repayment of loans for wood and wire fencing or wooden buildings for small holdings; whether he is aware that many county councils have fixed the rents to tenants of their small holdings on the supposition that the term granted for such loans would be the same as that which has been granted by the Board of Agriculture and Fisheries under the Lands Improvement Acts, namely, twenty to twenty-five years; and whether he can state in what way, if the short term for such loans is adhered to, a county council can comply with the terms of Section 7 (3) of the Small Holdings and Allotments Act, 1908, and at the same time charge such rents to their tenants as they will be able to pay?
§ Mr. BURNS:I am aware that thirteen years is the term allowed by the Board for the repayment of loans for wood and wire fencing and wooden buildings where the wood is creosoted under pressure, and that some county councils have proposed rents on the supposition that a longer term would be allowed. I have been advised that thirteen years is an adequate term to allow, looking to the nature of the work, and in these circumstances the provisions of Section 7 (3) of the Small Holdings and Allotments Act, 1908, cannot be regarded as a reason for extending the term.
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