§ 35. Commander WEDGWOODasked how many allotments have been made in England and Wales to men willing to cultivate suburban building land since powers were given to local authorities to take the land for such purposes?
§ Sir R. WINFREYUp to the present the Board have not asked for Returns, but particulars which have been received in regard to fifty urban areas show that 6,682 plots have actually been provided under the Cultivation of Lands Order, 1916.
§ Commander WEDGWOODIs the hon. Gentleman satisfied with so small a response after two months?
§ Sir R. WINFREYI think it is very good.
§ Mr. OUTHWAITEHave the local authorities the right to take any building-land or only vacant land? Can they take large areas of building land in urban districts or only vacant land?
§ Sir R. WINFREYThey can take all vacant land that is not actually paying rates at the time.
§ Mr. OUTHWAITEIs the hon. Member aware that all building land does pay some nominal rate, and therefore the local authority cannot take the land?
§ Sir R. WINFREYAll land that is not being used at all does not pay any rates at all, not even agricultural rates.
§ Mr. OUTHWAITEIs the hon. Member aware that the bulk of the building land near towns and cities pays a nominal rate as agricultural land, although it is really building land; and will he give the local authorities the right to take the land?
§ Sir R. WINFREYMy answer is that that is not so. When any building land is returned in the rate-books as void it does not pay any rates whatever, not even agricultural rates.
§ Commander WEDGWOODHas the Board not got the power to take land even though it is paying rates if it is not being put to the best use in urban areas? Is not that the arrangement?
§ Sir R. WINFREYOnly by agreement with the owner.