§ Colonel WOODCOCKasked the Minister of Agriculture what are the losses incurred by the Ministry on all their farm settlements from the dates of commencement until the present date; and what is the number of smallholders now on the Ministry's estates?
Mr. GUINNESSThe total of the losses shown in the accounts for the Ministry's farm settlements up to 31st March, 1925, the last date at which the annual accounts were made up, amounts to £434,705. This sum includes farm and estate losses in respect of properties which, owing to a change of policy in the interests of economy, were sold shortly after being acquired by the Ministry or transferred to county councils, as well as of settlements still managed by the Ministry. The amount mentioned has been arrived at after providing for Treasury interest charges, depreciation, and headquarters administrative2126W expenses. The number of smallholders, on 31st January, 1926, on the settlements now managed by the Ministry was 301; in addition there were 115 farm workers employed on two settlements, and 158 tenants of one acre and under on another settlement. The number of small holdings on estates transferred to county councils is approximately 280. The foregoing figures leave out of account the Boshury (Buchanan Trust) Estate, the accounts of which show a loss of £20,431 up to 31st March, 1925, and on which there are 16 small holding tenants.