HC Deb 27 May 1909 vol 5 cc1475-6W
Mr. BOULTON

asked the hon. Member for South Somerset, as representing the President of the Board of Agriculture, if the county council of Huntingdonshire have applied for any orders for the compulsory acquisition of land for small holdings; and, if so, who are the tenants of the land, what are their holdings, and who are the landlords?

Sir E. STRACHEY

Three compulsory Orders have been submitted to us, particulars of which are as follows:—

I. Yaxley and Farcet, comprising:— Weston Farm, Yaxley, 156a. Or. 24p.; owner, Mr. George Keeble; occupier, Mr. Walter Cole. Part of Bottom Fen Farm, 45a. Or. 25p.; owner Mr. George Keeble; occupiers, Messrs. James and Welby Whitsed. Mere Mouth Farm, Farcet, 113a. l r. 3p.; owner, Mr. George Keeble; occupier, Mr. John Ward.

II. Ramsey.—Middle Moor Fen Farm, 94a. Or. 13p.; owner, Miss Agnes Ellen Jones; occupier, Mr. Robert Barlow.

III. Warboys.—Round House and Tick Fen Farms, 487a. 2r. 16p.; owner, Mr. Alfred Fuller; respective occupiers, Mr. E. B. Greenwood and Mr. Harvey W. Noble.

Mr. BOULTON

asked the hon. Member for South Somerset if the county council of Huntingdonshire have applied to the Board for permission to take, under the compulsory powers of the Small Holdings Act, any land in the occupation of Messrs. Coleman, in the Ramsey district, and, if so, how much; if he is aware that Messrs. Coleman employ over 50 men and boys on 300 acres of land and pay the highest wages in the district, and that if this land is taken it will disturb a considerable amount of labour and create much dissatisfaction in the village of St. Mary's; and if he will communicate with the county council and suggest that some other land which is available might be taken for the purpose of supplying small holdings?

Sir E. STRACHEY

No order for the compulsory acquisition of the land to which my hon. Friend refers has as yet been submitted to us for confirmation. In the event of an Order being made and of any objection being offered thereto, a public local inquiry would be held, at which evidence might be offered as to the circumstances mentioned.