§ SIR WALTER FOSTER (Derby, Ilkeston)I beg to ask the President of the Local Government Board, whether he is aware that the powers for the compulsory hiring of land for allotments given by the Local Government Act, 1894, are especially required in urban districts, as in these the prospective value 874 for building purposes generally renders purchase under the Allotments Act, 1887, impracticable, and that the present practice of the Local Government Board in making a detailed inquiry into the local circumstances, and the action already taken under the Act of 1887, as a preliminary to granting to urban councils the powers possessed by parish councils, is causing great delay and consequent dissatisfaction; and, whether he is prepared to take measures to render the acquirement of allotments as easy in the urban districts as it is in the rural parishes?
§ THE PRESIDENT OF THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT BOARD (Mr. HENRY CHAPLIN,) Lincolnshire, SleafordWhen the Local Government Board are applied to by an urban district council to confer on them the powers which are vested in a parish council with regard to the hiring of land for allotments, it is usual to inquire whether the urban district council contemplate the compulsory hiring of land for the purpose, and, if so, what scheme they propose. If the reply shows that the powers are required, the necessary order is issued. The answers, however, in many cases show that the application has been made in consequence of the urban district council not having realised the powers which they already possess as regards the hiring of land for allotments by agreement. I am not aware that the practice of the Board has caused, or given any ground for, dissatisfaction, and there is every disposition on the part of the Board to facilitate the acquisition of allotments.