§ Lieut.-Colonel MOOREasked the Minister of Agriculture if he is aware that the report of the Committee on Crown and Government Lands, 1922, stated that the only professional assistance employed by the Commissioners in connection with Crown property in London consisted of the part-time services of an architect and surveyor in private practice, assisted by one whole-time technical officer; that there was dissatisfaction on the part of Crown tenants with the present management of these properties; that, as a result, difficulties had arisen with regard to the assessment of rents, etc.; and what steps have since been taken to remedy these matters?
§ Mr. ELLIOTI am aware that the Committee referred to expressed the view, in paragraph 18 of their report, that976W the amount of professional assistance at the disposal of the Commissioners of Crown Lands was inadequate, and steps have since been taken by the Commissioners to increase their staff of professional advisers. The Committee also reported that they had heard evidence to the effect that there was dissatisfaction on the part of Crown tenants in the management of Crown properties. I am, however, sending my hon. and gallant Friend a copy of a reply given in the House by one of my predecessors on 4th July, 1922, after the committee's report was published, in which it was explained that only one witness had made this allegation, and that the Commissioners had been unable to obtain from the committee a copy of the evidence, and were not given an opportunity of rebutting it or of calling contrary evidence.