§ Mr. de Rothschildasked the Minister of Agriculture whether he has considered a communication from the county council of the Isle of Ely urging that immediate steps be taken to empower them to acquire additional land for allocation to ex-Servicemen as smallholdings at rentals within their means; and what steps he proposes to take in the matter.
Mr. HudsonI have received the letter referred to and similar letters from other county councils. I have asked the County Councils' Association to discuss this matter with me, and after that discussion replies will be sent to individual councils. I must emphasise, however, that it is not likely to be practicable for some time to come to start a programme of increased numbers of smallholdings, on account of the large amount of building and other work necessary for their equipment.