§ Mr. ORMSBY-GOREasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Agriculture how many ex-Service men are now training as land workers at Rodbaston, in Staffordshire; whether all such trainees will be given land in the county as soon as their training is complete; whether he is aware of the opinion expressed at a recent meeting of the Stafford County Local War Pensions Committee that the men now training at Rodbaston at the cost of the State would neither obtain a small holding on completion of their training nor would they be able to obtain employment; and what steps will be taken to prevent these trainees from being forced to enter the Poor Law workhouses?
Sir A. BOSCAWEN31 disabled men are at present in training at Rodbaston. As regards the second part of the question, only 17 of the above 31 men have applied for small holdings. In the case of 9, it is hoped that holdings will be available, provided their training proves satisfactory. The applications of the re-maining eight have only been recently received, and, as in their case, from seven to ten months' training has still to be completed, it is impossible for the small holdings committee to decide now whether the applicants would eventually prove suitable for settlement. No effort will be spared to meet the requirements of suitable men when trained. It is also hoped that the Government's recent decision to provide further funds for land settlement1972W will enable councils to provide a limited number of cottage holdings for disabled ex-Service men trained at the expense of the State, provided the council concerned is satisfied that a man will be able, with the help of his family, to cultivate the land properly, and at the same time succeed in obtaining a livelihood by means of his pension, and any earnings derived from his holding.