§ Mr. Owenasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) whether, in view of the relaxation of credit restrictions, he will now allow the Northumberland County Council to buy Duddo Farm;
(2) whether he is aware that the Small-Holdings Committee of the Northumberland Council are interested in the purpose of Duddo Farm; and whether he will allow the county council to bid for the farm at the proposed public auction.
§ Mr. HareI am afraid I could not agree to the acquisition of this property by the Northumberland County Council. It still seems to me that smallholdings authorities should devote the resources that are available to the improvement of existing smallholdings estates rather than to the acquisition of new ones.