§ Mr. ROYCEasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Agriculture the amount of rent paid by the tenant of the Limes Farm, near Horbling, Lincolnshire, held under the Crown, for each of the seven years ending Lady Day, 435W 1920; what yearly rent was received by the tenant for the farmstead and land sublet by him for the same period; the cost of the bathroom and water supply; by whom paid; and what is the annual value of the shooting retained and of the house, pleasure grounds, and premises occupied by the tenant?
Sir A. BOSCAWENThe Horbling Estate was purchased on behalf of the Crown in 1913 with completion on the 25th July in that year. The Limes Farm comprised 241 acres, I rood, 17 poles at the date of purchase and it was held by Mr. Edward Smith at a rent of £350 a year. Two hundred acres, 2 roods, 13 poles were re-let to him from the 6th April, 1914, on annual tenancy at a rent of £318 a year, and the rent remained at that figure until the 6th April last. When the Crown purchased the property, Mr. Smith resided in the farm house and exercised his right to sub-let the farm buildings and land, and that arrangement was continued under the Crown. The Commissioners of Woods and Forests have no knowledge of the terms of the sub-letting. As one of the conditions of the re-letting, a bathroom and water supply were provided by the Crown at a cost of £176 10s., and Mr. Smith pays interest at 4¼ per cent on £76 10s. of that sum. The farm being let as a whole, the Commissioners of Woods and Forests have no information in respect of the separate value of the house and shooting.