Mr. E. HARVEYasked the President of the Board of Agriculture what steps have been taken at the Holbeach Colony for discharged soldiers to give training and instruction to the men; whether the director personally gives assistance in this respect; and whether advantage is taken of wet weather to give instruction to the colonists?
§ Mr. PROTHEROThe men are being trained by taking part in the practical work of the farm under the supervision of the director. No indoor instruction has yet been provided, but it is intended that this shall form part of the colony scheme when it has passed its initial stages. Expert advice is available to the men on any points on which they require it.
Mr. HARVEYasked the President of the Board of Agriculture whether any outbuildings have yet been provided for the smallholders in the Holbeach colony; if not, whether steps will be taken at once to provide them; and whether some common meeting place of a temporary character can be provided for the use of the colonists in view of their isolation and the distance from the nearest place of any size?
§ Mr. PROTHERONo outbuildings have yet been erected, but tenders have been received, and the work in connction with twlve sets will be put in hand without delay. Some of the existing farm buildings are being utilised for this purpose and others will be so utilised. With regard to a common meeting place, an officer of the Y.M.C.A. has visited the colony recently, and it is hoped that the Association will proceed with the erection of a hut as soon as possible.