Land Question Inquiry Returns

A collection of completed forms relating to agricultural development, rating and conditions of tenancy and also to general conditions, housing and wages - part of the government's Land Question Inquiry in 1912. Only a few relate to urban districts. Some of the returns are full and candid. Others are scrappy and non-committal. The areas covered are:

Caernarfonshire Rural : parishes of Aberdaron, Abererch, Bodferin, Botwnnog, Bryncroes, Carnguwch, Clynnog Fawr, Cricieth, Edern, Dolbenmaen, Llandegwning, Llangybi, Llanarmon, Llanaelhaearn, Llanengan, Llangan, Llangwnnadl, Llangybi, Llanfair-is-gaer, Llanystumdwy, Mellteyrn, Pistyll, Rhiw and Treflys.

Anglesey Rural : parishes of Aberffraw, Llangwyfan, Llanfaelog, Llanbadrig, Llandyfrydog, Llanfihangel Dinsylwy, Llanddeusant, Llanfaethlu, Llantrisant, Llannerchymedd, Rhodogeidio, Heneglwys, Llanfechell, Llanbadrig, Llangoed, Penmon, Penrhoslligwy, Rhosybol, Trewalchmai, as well as the western side of Anglesey.

Other rural counties : parish of Llandderfel and several parishes on the borders of Denbighshire and Merionethshire. Urban investigations : Beaumaris and Holyhead in Anglesey, Ffestiniog in Merionethshire and Llandudno and Caernarfon in Caernarfonshire.

Reports on the Land Question in certain areas of North West Wales were made in the summer and autumn of 1912 in connection with the land campaign of the Liberal government.

In 1912, under the leadership of Prime Minister, Herbert Henry Asquith, the government passed that an inquiry be held into the land question. Individuals were appointed throughout Britain to conduct the inquiry and the person appointed to carry out the work in Anglesey, Caernarfonshire and parts of Denbighshire and Merionethshire was Mr G. Hughes Roberts of Glanrhyd, Edern. He was assisted in his work by Mr Ellis Davies MP and others.

The papers have been incorporated into the General Collection of Bangor Manuscripts and arranged according to geographical areas.

Open to all users.

Donated by G. Hughes Roberts, J.P. of Glanrhyd, Edern, Caernarfonshire, April 1934.

Description compiled by Elen Wyn Hughes, November 2001.

An item level typescript catalogue is available at the Archives Department of the University of Wales Bangor. Reference numbers :General Collection of Bangor Manuscripts 1291-1342

Usual copyright conditions apply. Reprographics are made at the discretion of the Archivist.