§ MR. CHANNINGI beg to ask the President of the Local Government Board whether, since the date of the Return, dated 17th June, 1892, of land acquired by Local Authorities under the Allotments Acts, there have been any 1200 instances in which either Sanitary Authorities or County Councils have acquired land for allotments by compulsory powers or have petitioned the Local Government Board for such powers; and, if so, what is the number of such instances respectively and the acreage of land so acquired, or in respect of which such Petitions have been lodged; and whether there have been any instances in which either a Rural Sanitary Authority or County Council have applied for sanction for loans for the acquisition of land for the purpose of allotments; and, if so, what is the number of such applications and the acreage of the land so to be acquired?
§ MR. H. H. FOWLERSince the date mentioned there has been one instance in which a County Council has obtained powers for compulsory purchase of land for the purpose of allotments. The acreage of land to be acquired in that case was not stated. There have also been, since that date, six cases in which authorities have applied for sanction to loans for the purchase of land for this purpose. The total acreage of the land in four of these cases was about 53 acres. In the remaining two cases, I am not at present informed as to the acreage.
§ MR. JESSE COLLINGSCan the right hon. Gentleman say whether enormous numbers of allotments have not been provided by voluntary arrangement; and, if so, how many?
§ MR. H. H. FOWLERI cannot say if the Department have that information. I will ask for notice.
§ MR. JESSE COLLINGSIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that nearly 150,000 persons have by voluntary arrangement been supplied with allotments?
§ MR. H. H. FOWLERI have no figures before me.