HC Deb 26 February 1917 vol 90 cc1661-2
80. Major NEWMAN

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether, as President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland) the War Cabinet have conferred on him, under the Defence of the Realm Regulations the like extended powers which have been obtained by the President of the Board of Agriculture and by which local authorities may compulsorily take land which, in their opinion, is not being usefully employed; and will he say what appeal, if any, and to whom, there will be where an owner or occupier has his land taken from him under the Regulations mentioned?

Mr. DUKE

The Department of Agriculture have been given power to acquire land compulsorily for the purpose of urban allotments when they are of opinion that it is necessary for the local food supply and that the use of land for this purpose has been unreasonably withheld, and they may delegate this power in approved cases to a local authority. They propose to exercise this power whenever it may be necessary to do so in co-operation with the Local Government Board, who, when they deem it advisable, can appoint arbitrators and hold inquiries at which the owners or occupiers of land which was being compulsorily acquired may be heard.

Major NEWMAN

Does the Chief Secretary mean that he has got power to delegate these powers to urban district councils and not to rural district councils?

Mr. DUKE

No, Sir; we have no power to delegate to urban district councils. There is power in the Department of Agriculture to take possession of lands which are unreasonably withheld in urban districts for tillage, and to make arrangements by which the urban district council carries that power into effect, but the business will be put through in the manner which I have explained, by co-operation between the Departments of Agriculture and the Local Government Board.

Major NEWMAN

The question is this: these powers only refer to urban districts; rural districts are not affected?

Mr. DUKE

I think the hon. and gallant Member will know there is an entirely separate system in the rural districts of Ireland.