Mr. H. SIMPSONasked the Minister of Agriculture how many ex-service men 1539W have been settled on small holdings under the Land Settlement (Facilities) Act; how many applications are still pending; what amount has been expended on land purchase under the Act; how many acres have been so purchased; and the total amount advanced to settlers?
§ Sir R. SANDERSThe latest returns received from county councils and councils of county boroughs show that, up to the 15th July last, 15,908 ex-service men have been provided with small holdings under the Land Settlement (Facilities) Act, 1919. With regard to the second part of the question, I should explain that any ex-service men who desired to avail themselves of the preferences given to such men over civilians under the scheme were required to send in -their applications before the 1st December, 1920. As regards such applicants, the number approved who had not on the 15th July last been provided with holdings was stated to be 7,724, and, in addition, 4,890 applications were awaiting consideration or were standing over. It is, however, known that a large proportion of these, owing to the changed conditions, can no longer be regarded as effective applicants. The total area purchased by local authorities for cash is 219,570 acres, the total consideration money, including costs of acquisition, etc., being £9,663,343. In addition, 7,550 acres have been purchased in consideration of perpetual annuities or rent charges, totalling £16,272 per annum. In reply to the last part of the question, returns supplied by councils show that up to the 30th September last advances amounting to £152,265 had been made to their small holdings tenants under Section 18 of the Land Settlement (Facilities) Act.
Sir J. DAVIDSONasked the Minister,of Agriculture whether the ex-service men settled on the Titchfield farm settlement are being charged rent at the rate of £5 per acre, and have to pay a deposit on purchase; whether this is in accordance with the pledge given to them; and whether the Hants County Council, in view of the terms of transfer of the settlement, is in a position to reduce the, rent and abolish the deposit without prejudicing its position financially?
§ Sir R. SANDERSThe rents obtained for small holdings on the Titchfield Estate vary from £3 to £5 per acre for land1540W suitable for strawberry culture, which rental is in accordance with rents prevailing in the district for land of this nature. The transfer of the settlement from the Ministry to the Hants County Council enables the council to deal with the estate in the same manner as the remainder of its small holdings property. A large number of smallholders have applied to purchase their holdings, and the Ministry has sanctioned sales at prices ranging from £50 to £85 per acre. The smallholders who applied to purchase have no statutory right in the matter, and in asking for a deposit of 20 per cent, of the purchase money, the balance to be repaid by annuities spread over a period of years, the Hants County Council is following its usual custom. The Ministry is satisfied that pledges given to smallholders on this estate have been duly observed in connection with these transactions.
§ Mr. MILLARasked the First Commissioner of Works, as representing the Secretary for Scotland, the number of applications received for small holdings in Scotland from ex-service men and other persons, respectively, the number of applicants under each of these separate categories who have been settled, the number still awaiting settlement, and the number who have not yet been interviewed by the Scottish Board of Agriculture?
§ Sir J. BAIRDApplications have been received from 11,843 civilians and 7,406 ex-service men. The numbers settled, amount to 1,788 and 1.216, respectively. There remain to be dealt with applications from 6,223 civilians and 3,883 ex-service men. Of these 2,610 and 1,204, respectively, have not as yet been interviewed.
§ Mr. WEIRasked the First Commissioner of Works, as representing the Secretary for Scotland, whether land at Benbecula has also been seized by landless ex-service men: and whether there has also been undue delay in constituting small holdings?
§ Sir J. BAIRDThe reply to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The Board had considered the possibility of framing a scheme of land settlement on this farm. The decision not to proceed with a scheme was based mainly on 1541W serious difficulties as regards water supplies, and the prospect of a heavy compensation award if the sitting tenant were, displaced. There is no foundation for the suggestion that there has been undue delay on the part of the Board.
§ Major M. WOODasked the First Commissioner of Works, as representing the Secretary for Scotland, whether the Government propose to make any change in the land-settlement policy instituted by their predecessors; and how much longer approved ex-service applicants will have to wait for the holdings they were promised?
§ Sir J. BAIRDThe scheme of land settlement, which was instituted under the Land Settlement (Scotland) Act, 1919, is being proceeded with, and it is not in contemplation to alter the policy. It is anticipated that the majority of the approved ex-service applicants will be settled within the next three years.