§ Sir FORTESCUE FLANNERYasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture whether his attention has been called to the practice of the Essex County Council in letting land and buildings to applicants under the Small Holdings Act upon rents fixed to include not only the annual value, but also contributions to a sinking fund for redemption of purchase; whether these lettings have been on the conditions that the lands and buildings so paid for by the tenants are to remain the property of the county council; and whether the Government propose to introduce legislation to facilitate county councils in conveying to small holders the freehold ownership of the holdings for which they pay the purchase price in their agreed rents?
§ Sir E. STRACHEYThe reply to the two former questions is in the affirmative. The Small Holdings and Allotments Act of 1908 provides facilities for the purchase of small holdings by persons who desire to buy and will themselves cultivate them, and for the advance of money by county councils for the purpose. The Government do not at present contemplate further legislation on the subject.