§ Sir K. WOODasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Agriculture whether he is aware that there is a keen demand for small holdings and allotments at Billingborough, Horbling, and Pointon, Lincolnshire; that a large number of the applicants are ex-service men; that it is reported 900 acres of land in the district are changing hands early in April; and what, if any, steps have been taken by the Office of Woods to provide land in accordance with the promise given in this House on the 18th July, 1919?
Sir A. BOSCAWENSeven hundred and forty-two acres of Crown land at Horbling and adjoining parishes have been let to ex-service men from this Lady Day. There are other applications from ex-service men for 62 acres, omitting those who have been offered and have declined land. To meet these applications there are only 22 acres of land remaining available to let from this Lady Day. There are also applications in Billingborough, Pointon and the adjoining parishes for 180 acres of land for small holdings other than for ex-service men. The bulk of these applications are in the parishes of Pointon and Billingborough, in which there is, at the moment, no land available, but certain notices to quit are being given in those parishes, which it is hoped will enable the Crown to offer land to approved applicants at Lady Day, 1921. It is not an easy matter to find suitable land for small holdings in the parishes 1831W above referred to, as 1,448 acres of this estate are already let in small holdings. I may add that over 8,000 acres of the Crown lands have been let to, or for, the settlement of ex-service men.
Commander LOCKER - LAMPSONasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Agriculture whether the county of Huntingdonshire is ahead of other counties, firstly, in the number of applicants for small holdings under the new Act, and secondly in the number of applicants already settled upon the land; whether he can give the figures of these applicants and the number now upon the land; and whether facilities can be given for a land bank to be established forthwith in the county?
Sir A. BOSCAWENAccording to the latest returns received from the Hunts. County Council, 973 applications have been made to the council for 16,115 acres. Of these applicants, 692 have been approved for 7,265 acres and 522 have actually been provided with holdings having a total area of 4,549 acres. As regards 219 applicants for 3,569 acres, their applications are standing over either for the purpose of interview or for some other reason. Fifteen other counties have received a larger number of applications for small holdings than Hunts., and one county (Isle of Ely) has settled a larger number of men, but I am glad to have this opportunity of congratulating the Hunts. County Council on the work which they have accomplished in regard to land settlement. In reply to the last part of the question, I would remind my hon. and gallant Friend that arrangements have been made in accordance with Section 18 of the Land Settlement (Facilities) Act, 1919, for the Hunts. County Council to guarantee advances to their tenants for the purchase of livestock, fruit trees, seeds, fertilisers and implements, and in these circumstances I am not aware that the establishment of a land bank is necessary at the moment.