§ Mr. PRETYMANasked the Secretary of State for War whether possession was taken of New Hall Farm, Dovercourt, Essex, by the military authorities, who were in occupation of the farm until 1919; whether, in December of that year, negotiations were entered into with the Eastern Command Land Department to settle the amount of compensation payable; whether the War Department valuer, owing to the damage done to the property by the military occupation, suggested that the farm should be purchased by the War Office; whether, after much delay, on the 10th August, 1920, the Disposal Board recommended the Treasury to purchase this farm for £4,250 and a draft contract was sent to the Treasury solicitor at his request; whether notice was given to the tenant of the farm at the request of the Disposal Board; and whether, as the owner of half this farm is a lady of over 80 years of age, whose income is only about £50 per annum, and as the property is mortgaged, he will give instructions that without further delay the contract should now be signed, as, in spite of frequent letters and reminders, nothing further has been done?
§ Sir A. WILLIAMSONPossession was taken of this farm on 5th August, 1914, and it was occupied until December 1919. Although negotiations were opened at once, no claim was made on behalf of the tenant until October, 1920. It was decided to purchase the farm, on the ground that this would be cheaper than the cost of reinstatement. Notice to quit was given to the tenant by the owner, as one of the conditions of purchase was vacant possession at Michaelmas. The delay in completing the purchase is due to the unreasonable attitude of the tenant, who is claiming the cost of re-erecting certain farm buildings demolished by the military, although the War Department has offered to release him from any liability under his lease as soon as the freehold has been purchased. Negotiations are still proceeding with the tenant, and it is hoped that a settlement will be reached in the near future.