HC Deb 22 February 1917 vol 90 cc1440-1
24. Mr. FITZPATRICK

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if he has received the names of a number of labourers and artisans from the town of Rathdowney, Queen's County, requiring allotments of land under the Government food production scheme; and, if so, seeing that the Abbeyleix District Council have failed to acquire such land by agreement from the owners of untenanted lands throughout the union, will he take steps to acquire such land as may be necessary to provide labourers and artisans with allotments in accordance with the Government Regulations?

Mr. DUKE

The Department of Agriculture have received the lists of names referred to, and will deal with the matter in due course.

Mr. LUNDON

Will the right hon. Gentleman say why compulsory powers are being granted to urban areas and not to rural district councils? Is he aware that a labourer in a country district is better able to till an acre of ground than a resident in a town is to till one-eighth of an acre?

Mr. DUKE

There are difficulties in getting allotments that are capable of being tilled by town artisans, and it is with a view to meeting the requirements of that class of the population that the Regulation was introduced.

Mr. LUNDON

What I want to know is why the same Regulation does not apply to a rural area as to a town?

Mr. DUKE

Because there is not the same necessity.

Major NEWMAN

Does not allotment land under the Government food production scheme mean an allotment of land for the period of the War or afterwards?

Mr. DUKE

If the land is available by agreement for permanent schemes of allotments it would be desirable, but that is not very general. If compulsory powers are exercised they will be exercised for the duration of the War and for a short period afterwards.

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