§ Mr. HURDasked the Minister of Agriculture what is the number and total acreage of small holdings above one acre and under 50 acres in the county of Wiltshire; what number and acreage are on land belonging to the county council; how many approved applicants have still to be provided with holdings; how many applicants are still awaiting interview; what reason is assigned for the non-provision of further small holdings; and what steps are being taken in regard to small holdings and cottage holdings under the Act of 1926?
Mr. GUINNESSThe number of agricultural holdings above one acre and not exceeding 50 acres in Wiltshire, as recorded in the Agricultural Returns for 1926, was 3,831. The area of approximately the same number of holdings in 1924 was 61,035 acres, which is the latest figure available. The county council have provided 788 holdings on an area of 16,410 acres either purchased or leased by them. The number of approved applicants who have still to be provided with holdings is 85; and five applicants are awaiting interview. In reply to the last part of my hon. Friend's question, I would remind him that from the 1st April, 1926, until the 15th December, 1926, when the Small Holdings and Allotments Act, 1926, received the Royal Assent, councils were not empowered to acquire land for small holdings purposes unless they were able to do so without incurring loss; and that in present circumstances it is only in exceptional cases that holdings can be provided on an entirely self-supporting basis. A small 575W area of land has been acquired since the 1st January, 1927, and the council are at present engaged in negotiating for further properties.
§ Major CRAWFURDasked the Minister of Agriculture how many county authorities have submitted schemes under the Small Holdings and Allotments Act, 1926; and how many schemes have been approved by the Ministry of Agriculture?
§ Sir H. BARNSTONI have been asked to reply. Five county councils have submitted seven schemes under the Act in question. One scheme has been approved by the Ministry; the other six are under consideration.
§ Major CRAWFURDasked the Minister of Agriculture what was the price paid for land taken over by the Soke of Peterborough County Council for small holdings under the Land Settlement (Facilties) Act, 1919; and what was the gross rent paid by tenants on the land in 1914 and prior to acquisition of the land by the county council?
§ Sir H. BARNSTONThe price paid by the Soke of Peterborough County Council for 3,017 acres of land purchased by the council under the Land Settlement (Facilities) Act, 1919, was £191,605. An additional sum of £28,064 was paid as compensation for other matters than the purchase of the land. My right hon. Friend has no information as to the rent paid for the land in 1914. Prior to its acquisition by the council, the greater part of it was being farmed by the owners and not let to tenants.