§ 80. Mr. CLANCYasked the Chief Secretary, with reference to his promise to inquire into the question of conferring compulsory powers for the acquisition of land for the production of food on local authorities in rural districts such as have recently been given for the acquisition of land in and near urban districts, he is now able to announce the result of his inquiries; and whether he will bear in mind the necessity for immediate action in the matter if any action is to be taken at all?
§ Mr. DUKEThe Department of Agriculture have power under Regulation 2L of the Defence of the Realm Regulations to acquire land compulsorily for the purpose of providing food for residents in any locality in the case of land in or near an urban district which is immediately required for the purpose of being cultivated in allotments and the use of which for that purpose is unreasonably withheld, and in the case of land which is for the time being unoccupied; that is to say, where no person is liable for payment of the poor rate. The Department have also the power to arrange for the cultivation of a holding to which the tillage Regulation 2 P applies if the occupier has neglected to comply with the Regulation. Rural district councils have certain 446 powers under the Labourers' Acts of obtaining land for the purpose of allotments in rural districts. These powers seem at present to be sufficient for the protection of the public interests. I may add that the Local Government Board do not think there is any real necessity for extending Regulation 2 L to rural districts generally.