§ Mr. CHARLES EDWARDSasked the Minister of Agriculture whether, before the letting of Crown farms, there is any 2029W Regulation requiring that they shall be publicly advertised; if so, whether he is aware that a farm of 50 acres situated at Trelleck, in the county of Monmouth, was let before being advertised; whether he is aware of the feeling existing in this locality against this farm being let to a farmer who already occupies over 100 acres whilst local ex-service men are unable to obtain land; and whether, in view of the number of ex-service men still requiring land, he will consider the advisability of consulting the county agricultural committee, small holdings committee, or other local elective body as to the letting of Crown lands or farms?
§ Sir J. GILMOUR(1) There is no Regulation requiring that before the letting of Crown farms they shall be publicly advertised.
(2) The farm in question, however, was advertised before it was relet; and the Commissioner of Woods is unaware of any local feeling of the character referred to.
(3) It is the usual practice, when Crown farms become available for reletting, to consult both the Ministry of Agriculture and the county council concerned, with a view to ascertaining whether or not the land is required for land settlement purposes.