§ MR. JESSE COLLINGS (Birmingham, Bordesley)I beg to ask the hon. Member for Penrith (Mr. J. W. Lowther) whether his attention has been called to the fact that Mr. Lee, the trustee of the Broughal Charity land, after promising to let the land to the labourers, as directed by "The Allotments Act, 1882," has now let it to a neighbouring farmer, and that Mr. Lee is about to let the land on lease, whereby the men will be deprived of their rights under the Act; 1253 and whether the Charity Commissioners will take immediate steps to compel the trustee to carry out the law?
* MR. J. W. LOWTHER (Cumberland, Penrith)Mr Lee, the trustee of the Broughal Charity land, has not let, nor is he about to let, the land in question on lease. The Commissioners have been informed by him that he has no idea of letting the land on lease, and that he is anxious to carry out the provisions of the Allotments Extension Act, 1882. Mr. Lee has been directed to proceed at once to comply with the provisions of the Act by giving the required notices of setting apart and of letting the land in allotments.
§ MR. JESSE COLLINGSHaving regard to the fact that the promise was made by Lee months ago and that he has practically ignored the communication from the Charity Commissioners, will the Commissioners take proper steps to ensure that the law shall be obeyed?
* MR. J. W. LOWTHERWe have taken steps. We have written to Mr. Lee and told him that he must forth-with put the Act into force; and if during the next fortnight these notices are not given we will then see what further steps should be taken to compel Lee to carry out the Act.
§ MR. JESSE COLLINGSI beg to ask the hon. Member whether he is aware that the trustees of the Church and Town Estates at Mendlesham have refused to set out 27 acres of land, as directed by "The Allotments Act, 1882," and have let the land on lease at 20s. per acre, although the labourers offered 30s. per acre; and, whether, under these circumstances, the Charity Commissioners can set aside the lease, or will direct the trustees to hire other suitable land for the purpose of allotments?
* MR. J. W. LOWTHERThe Charity Commissioners are aware that some 27 acres which the labourers desire to have for allotments have been let on lease, with about 100 acres besides, by the trustees for seven years, from October 11, 1887. The trustees claim to have acted under the powers of Section 4, Proviso 6, of "The Allotments Extension Act, 1882," and the Commissioners are not prepared to hold that the lease if granted in bonâ fide exercise of such powers can be set aside. They cannot direct trustees to hire other suitable land; but on this point, which was 1254 brought to the notice of the trustees by the Inspector last August, the Commissioners will again communicate with them.
§ MR. JESSE COLLINGSLooking at the fact that the trustees have acted deliberately with the intention of setting aside the Act of 1882, may I ask if the Charity Commissioners will exercise their powers under the 10th Clause so as to place the land in the hands of other persons who will be likely to carry out the Act?
* MR. J. W. LOWTHERI must ask the hon. Member to put the question down for another day. I should like to consider the matter a little more carefully before putting the penal section in. force.