HC Deb 03 March 1919 vol 113 cc24-5
28. Sir KINGSLEY WOOD

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture whether arrangements are being made for allotment holders having the right of purchase of surplus Government stores suitable for agricultural purposes?

Mr. KELLAWAY

Stores of the kind referred to are being sold in small lots after full advertisement in the local Press. Allotment holders will thus have every opportunity of purchasing.

29. Sir KINGSLEY WOOD

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture whether his attention has been called to the decision of the London County Council to terminate the tenancies of certain allotment holders on 31st December next; whether, under a circular of the Food Production Department dated November, 1918, it was indicated that such allotment holders should be secure in the occupation of their plots until two years from the termination of the War; and whether he proposes to take any action in the matter?

Sir A. BOSCAWEN

The Circular to which my hon. Friend refers expressly stated that allotment land would have to be given up if the Board were satisfied that it was required for some special purpose. The London County Council consider that land situate in the parks and open spaces, and which has been cultivated as allotments during the War, is now urgently required for the recreation and health of the general community, and the Board are not prepared to interfere with the council's decision in the matter.

Captain BARNETT

Is my hon. and gallant Friend aware that the land now under allotments on Parliament Hill Fields was formerly tenanted by a few sheep, and is now occupied every Saturday and Sunday by a thousand allotment holders, and is he aware that the St. Pancras Borough Council has protested most strongly against the decision of the London County Council to terminate these allotments at the end of the present year?

Sir A. BOSCAWEN

If my hon. and gallant Friend will refer me to any special case, I will have it inquired into, but, generally speaking, it must be remembered that this land is held by the council for the purpose of the community in general and it cannot be confined to a certain number of allotment holders, however desirable the cultivation of allotments may be.