44.
asked the Minister of Agriculture when the departmental investigation into the scheme for setting up a grain imports board in this country is likely to be completed; and whether it is the intention of His Majesty's Government to make no announcement of their agricultural policy until this investigation is at an end?
| Land let in small holdings by Local Authorities under the Small Holdings Acts. | ||||||
| I.—County Councils. | ||||||
| County. | Area on the 18th December, 1918. | Area on the 31st December, 1929. | Area newly acquired during year ended 31st December, 1929. | |||
| ENGLAND: | Acres. | Acres. | Acres. | |||
| Bedfordshire | … | … | … | 5,727 | 13,247 | 4 |
| Berkshire | … | … | … | 3,056 | 4,809 | 10 |
| Bucks | … | … | … | 4,584 | 11,039 | 71 |
| Cambs. | … | … | … | 9,729 | 18,839 | 7 |
| Cheshire | … | … | … | 4,673 | 10,129 | 228 |
| Cornwall | … | … | … | 2,883 | 11,749 | 373 |
| Cumberland | … | … | … | 675 | 1,363 | — |
| Derby | … | … | … | 1,138 | 3,014 | — |
| Devon | … | … | … | 8,615 | 15,945 | 166 |
| Dorset | … | … | … | 3,567 | 10,635 | 221 |
| Durham | … | … | … | 2,450 | 4,033 | — |
| Essex | … | … | … | 3,159 | 7,139 | 96 |
| Gloucester | … | … | … | 3,560 | 14,051 | — |
| Hants | … | … | … | 1,858 | 4,683 | 1 |
The scheme referred to by the hon. Member is, as he will appreciate, one of great complexity, and while I can assure him that the necessary inquiries are taking place with all reasonable expedition, I cannot at present forecast the date of their completion. In reply to the last part of the question, I would beg to refer the hon. Member to the answer which I gave to the hon. Member for Eye (Mr. Granville) on 16th December.