§ 60. Lord H. CAVENDISH-BENTINCKasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture, in view of the fact that in one instance in Wiltshire nearly 9,000 acres have been converted into a sheep run, in consequence of which the area is almost completely depopulated, several hamlets having fallen into ruin, whether the President of the Board of 915 Agriculture will obtain Parliamentary powers to take over such areas and utilise them so that the Home production of foodstuffs is increased and the rural population restored to the land?
§ Mr. ACLANDI regret that in view of the general shortage of agricultural labour the matter to which my Noble Friend calls attention is not one in connection with which legislation of the kind suggested can usefully be considered at the present time.
§ 62. Lord H. CAVENDISH-BENTINCKasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture whether the President of the Board is taking any steps to arrange with the President of the Local Government Board to circularise the various local bodies in England and Wales with the object of inviting them to make provision for the keeping in cultivation until their return of allotments vacated by men who have joined the Army?
§ Mr. ACLANDThe President of the Board has already circularised the mayors of boroughs on this matter, and I do not think that allotment authorities generally fail to realise their responsibilities in connection with it. If, however, my noble Friend has any specific case in mind where allotments have been left uncultivated for the reason given, I shall be very glad to have it looked into at once. The Board's general information, however, is that this work is being well done.