HC Deb 22 July 1919 vol 118 cc1232-3

  1. (1) During a period of two years after the passing of this Act the Board of Agriculture and Fisheries may, with the consent of the Treasury, purchase or hire land for reclamation or drainage, and for such purpose shall have the same powers as may be exercised by a county council under the principal Act, for the acquisition of land for small holdings, and the provisions of the principal Act relating to such acquisition shall apply with the necessary adaptations.
    2. 1233
  2. (2) The powers of management conferred on the Board by Section four of the Small Holding Colonies Act, 1916, shall apply with the necessary modifications in relation to land acquired by the Board under this Section or any other enactment.

Sir K. WOOD

I beg to move, in Subsection (1), to leave out the word "two" ["during a period of two years "] and to insert instead thereof the word "three."

Sir A. BOSCAWEN

We cannot see our way to accept this Amendment. We propose that for two years we shall have the right to acquire land out of public funds for the purpose of reclamation or drainage. We think that just at this moment it may be possible to reclaim or drain a certain amount of land which may be used for small holdings, and which, at all events, may employ a large number of demobilised men. It is, however, simply a temporary experiment, and it is not intended to extend it. Already we have power, which we have exercised, through the Development Commissioners, and, although we propose to take power for a limited period to purchase land directly, we think, after that period, that we ought to get back to the regular system, and apply for loans and grants from the Commissioners.

Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.

Sir K. WOOD

I beg to move, in Subsection (1), after the word "holdings" "for the acquisition of land for small holdings "J, to insert the words "or allotments."

Certain optimistic allotment-holders think that something can be done for them, especially in the neighbourhood of Lea Valley and elsewhere, if these words are inserted in this Clause. It gives the Board power to reclaim land for the purposes of allotments as well as small holdings.

Amendment agreed to.