asked the Minister for Lands if, in respect of the retirement scheme, he will state the numbers of farms involved at each stage from the time they are offered until purchase has been completed.
Written Answers. - Farm Retirement Scheme.
540.
The total number of applications received to date under the farmers retirement scheme is 931.
The number of applicants so far adjudged eligible for the benefits of the scheme is 66; 57 have been adjudged ineligible. The remaining cases are under examination.
Of those adjudged eligible 57 wish to sell their holdings to the Land Commission and 9 propose to deal direct with development farmers. Negotiations on price have been successfully concluded in 25 cases and title requirements are now being examined prior to closing the sales. Negotiations were unsuccessful in two cases. In the remaining 30 cases negotiations are in progress for the purchase of the lands.