§ Mr. A. BENNETTasked the Minister of Agriculture how many county councils have agreed to reduce the rents of smallholders to meet the agricultural depression which has so seriously affected them?
§ Sir R. SANDERSOf the 62 county councils in England and Wales 31 have made permanent reductions of rent in addition to granting allowances in the form of temporary abatements of rent. Two have made permanent reductions only, while 22 other councils have so far granted temporary abatements only. I should, however, explain that councils are treating each small holding on its merits, having regard to all the circumstances, and it would not therefore be correct to assume that permanent reductions or abatements of rent have been granted to1948W every smallholder who holds land under the councils referred to in the first part of this answer. On the other hand the question of making permanent reductions as distinct from temporary abatements is under consideration in other counties besides the 33 who have already made such reductions.