Oral Answers to Questions — Land and Natural Resources – in the House of Commons at 12:00 am on 21 December 1964.
Mr James Scott-Hopkins
, North Cornwall
12:00,
21 December 1964
asked the Minister of Land and Natural Resources (1) how many forestry workers farm agricultural smallholdings owned by the Forestry Commission; how many of these holdings or dwellings have mains water supply and mains electricity; how many have indoor sanitation; and what percentage this represents of the whole;
(2) what is the average rent payable by Forestry Commission workers for their smallholdings; and what are the average annual outgoings of the Forestry Commission on repairs and capital investments per smallholding.
Mr Arthur Skeffington
, Hayes and Harlington
The Forestry Commission has 906 forest workers' holdings. The great Majority are farmed by its workers; 858 have water laid on, 689 have electricity and 753 have indoor sanitation. The percentage with water laid on is 95, with electricity 76 and with indoor sanitation 83.
The average rent paid by Forestry Commission workers for their holdings in the last three years was £37 a year. The Commission spent an average of £53 a year per holding on repairs and the average amount spent in a year on capital improvements was about £50 per holding.
Mr James Scott-Hopkins
, North Cornwall
Is the Joint Parliamentary-Secretary satisfied that sufficient money is being spent by the Commission to bring these holdings up to the standard of ordinary farm small holdings? Although the percentages which he gave—of 95, 76 and 83—apply overall, is he aware that there are several forests where the percentages are much lower? Is he in a position to give an assurance that he will concentrate on those forests where the percentage of houses and dwellings without water and so on is higher and that extra money will be expended in those areas?
Mr Arthur Skeffington
, Hayes and Harlington
I am pleased to give the hon. Gentleman the assurance that it is the intention of the Commission to modernise all holdings which are capable of modernisation within the next year or so.
Mr James Scott-Hopkins
, North Cornwall
Will the hon. Gentleman answer the first part of my question: whether enough will be spent to bring the holdings about which I spoke up to a reasonable standard, since I know of some holdings in some forests where the standard is sadly below the expected standard?
Mr Arthur Skeffington
, Hayes and Harlington
I will investigate that point, and if the hon. Gentleman has any instances to bring to my attention I will be glad to look into them.
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