§ Captain FOXCROFTasked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether the chairman of the Committee on Crown and Government, Lands has carried on any negotiations in regard to Crown or Government properties on behalf of Crown or Government tenants whilst that Committee was sitting and he has been acting in an advisory capacity to His Majesty's Government; and, if so, what was the nature and result of any such negotiations?
Mr. YOUNGThe chairman of the Committee is a partner in a firm of estate agents which, during the period in 1721W question, have been acting for Crown tenants in negotiation with the Office of Woods. In one case negotiations for a building lease proved abortive, and in another terms for a building lease were agreed.
§ Captain FOXCROFTasked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether any estimates have been made to show the nature and amount of the economies that are suggested by the Committee on Crown and Government Lands if a new Central Lands Department be set up to carry on the technical work which appears to be efficiently and economically carried on by the various Departments under the present régime; and if, before the Government proceeds to set up any such new machinery, a full financial statement of the present and proposed systems will be submited to this House?
Mr. YOUNGNo specific estimate has been made of the economies which might result from the adoption of the recommendations of the Committee on Crown and Government Lands. In view of the difficulties, enumerated in the fourth paragraph of the Final Report of the Committee, of making an accurate assessment of the total cost of managing and administering the Crown and Government lands under the present system, I fear that it would not be practicable to adopt the suggestion contained in the fatter part of the question.