HC Deb 22 November 1951 vol 494 c74W
58. Mr. Godber

asked the Minister of Agriculture when he proposes to publish the report of the sub-committee on the administration of the Land Settlement Association; and what steps he proposes to take to cut down the cost of the central administration of this body.

Sir T. Dugdale

I do not think I should be justified in incurring the expenditure involved in publishing this report of the sub-committee of the Smallholdings Advisory Council, but I am placing a copy in the Library for the information of hon. Members, together with the Memorandum of Agreement that has been reached between representatives of the Land Settlement Association and of the National Association of Land Settlement Association Tenants in the light of the recommendations in the report. It is a feature of these agreed recommendations that the Land Settlement Association's smallholdings scheme should aim at becoming financially self-supporting, and with that end in view changes in the organisation of the Land Settlement Association have already been made and substantial economies effected.

59. Mr. Godber

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he will transfer the control of the individual Land Settlement Association estates to the smallholdings committee of the local county council for the county in which the estate is situated and dispense entirely with the central organisation of the Land Settlement Association.

Sir T. Dugdale

No. The organisation of the smallholdings estates, provided with centralised services, which has been developed by the Land Settlement Association is different from that of the smallholdings provided by the county councils. I recently had an opportunity of attending a representative gathering of tenants from the various estates of the Land Settlement Association, and I found them eager to play a full part in the new arrangements which give them a voice in formulating policy and directing administration of the Land Settlement Association scheme, and I am anxious to maintain the existing L.S.A. organisation so that these arrangements may continue.