§ Mr. MURRELLasked the Minister of Agriculture how many small holdings have been granted to ex-service men in the county of Somerset, how many applications still remain unsatisfied, and the average rent per acre paid by ex-service smallholders in Somerset compared with the average rent paid for the same land before it was acquired for small holdings?
§ Mr. BUXTONSince the inception of the Land Settlement Scheme the Somerset County Council have provided 783 men with small holdings, including 771 ex-service men. Of the latter number, 81 have left their holdings for various reasons. 1,963 ex-service applicants made application to the council within the period fixed for ex-service applicants to qualify for preference over civilians, and of that number 275 who have been approved as suitable are at present awaiting holdings, while seven are awaiting interview or standing over. As regards the last part of the question, complete information is not available, but in view of the fact that in order to equip the land for small holdings it has been necessary to provide a large number of additional dwelling houses and farm buildings, the rents payable for the small holdings cannot properly be compared with that paid previously for the land when in large farms.