Captain COOTEasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Agriculture whether he is aware of the grave dissatisfaction caused among ex-service men by the instruction recently issued that foreign-service men should have preference over home-service men in the allotment of small holdings; that this dissatisfaction is caused by the fact that many home-service men have already received holdings, so that the distinction is now most invidious; and whether he can see his way to authorise the withdrawal of this instruction?
Sir A. BOSCAWENI am not aware that grave dissatisfaction exists among ex-service men by reason of the decision referred to, and the Minister does not propose to take any steps to withdraw the instruction. It is not the Governmen's intention that home-service men should not be provided with holdings in future, but that in the allocation of holdings preference should be given by Councils to men who have served overseas over men who have served only at home.
§ Mr. G. LOCKER-LAMPSONasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry 90W of Agriculture what is the number of ex-officers settled at the Bosbury Land Settlement, and the number six months ago; what are the Ministry's intentions with regard to the settlement; whether officers of the Ministry visited the settlement in July last; and if he can make their Report public, or any other recent Report on the subject?
Sir A. BOSCAWENThe number of ex-officers settled on small holdings at the Bosbury Farm Settlement is 8, and the number has not increased during the last six months. It is proposed to divide the whole estate into small holdings as the remainder of the land comes in hand. Ultimately there will be 16 small holdings, all of which, it is expected, will be let to ex-officers. Officers of the Ministry frequently visit the settlement: no special visit was made in July, nor have any reports been made other than those normally required for administrative purposes. A report on this and other farm settlements will shortly be submitted to Parliament in accordance with Section 10 of the Small Holdings Colonies Act, 1916.
§ Lord H. CAVENDISH-BENTINCKasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Agriculture whether he is aware that the sum of £7,000, the quota of the land settlement fund allocated to the county of Westmorland, is being found quite inadequate to satisfy the demands of ex-service men in the county; and whether, in view of the promise made that land would be provided for approved ex-service applicants, he can hold out any hope that the quota will be increased?
Sir A. BOSCAWENI am not prepared to admit that the sum of £7,000, the quota of the land settlement fund allocated to the county of Westmorland, will prove inadequate to satisfy the demands of ex-service men in the county. During the period of two years, in which the scheme has been in operation, the County Council has acquired 108¾ acres only, the total capital outlay, including equipment, being £1,912. If the Council acquire the further land required to satisfy the outstanding demand from approved ex-service men, either by purchasing for county annuities or by taking it on lease, the balance available, namely, £5,088, should prove ample to adapt and equip the property for small-holding; purposes.