HC Deb 15 July 1909 vol 7 c2425W
Mr. MACKARNESS

asked the hon. Member for South Somerset, as representing the President of the Board of Agriculture, whether he will state the number of applicants for small holdings up to date in South Berkshire, how many have been approved by the county council and how many rejected, how many of those approved have received land and the acreage of such land, what amount of land has been obtained by the county council under the Act of 1907, and whether voluntarily or compulsorily; and what steps are being taken, either by the Board or the county council, to obtain land for those approved applicants whose claims are still unsatisfied?

Sir E. STRACHEY

109 applications for land have been received. Sixty-three have been approved, 42 have not been approved, and 4 are under consideration. Five of the applicants have been supplied with 61 acres, which represents the amount of land acquired voluntarily—none has so far been acquired compulsorily. I may add that 319 acres have been offered to, but declined by, applicants, and the county council are in negotiation for other land for satisfying the demand.