HC Deb 10 March 1919 vol 113 cc867-8
44. Sir KINGSLEY WOOD

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture whether a number of allotment holders at the rear of 32, Herne Hill, London, whose plots were held by private agreement, have received notice to quit their allotments; and whether he will take action under the Cultivation of Lands Order with the object of having such land scheduled forthwith under such Order or other steps to secure their allotments?

Sir A. BOSCAWEN

The Board have already taken action to secure the continued cultivation of these allotments.

66. Sir K. WOOD

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture if the power to acquire land for allotments under the Cultivation of Land Order is operative only until the end of the War; and, if so, will he consider the advisability of securing an extension of the period during which this power will be operative until Parliament has been enabled to consider any legislative proposals of the Government concerning allotment holders?

Sir A. BOSCAWEN

The power to acquire land under the Order will cease when the Defence of the Realm Regulations expire. The Land Settlement Bill will contain provisions to enable urban authorities to acquire land for allotments by a speedy procedure, and the Board hope that the Bill will become law before the present powers expire.

67. Sir K. WOOD

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture if he is aware that there are some 600 allotment holders in Clissold Park; that before the War the land they are now using was waste land and was used by very few persons; and whether he will take steps to preserve for them security of their holdings until at least two years from the termination of the War?

Sir A. BOSCAWEN

Clissold Park is an open space under the control of the London County Council, and before the War it was largely used for organised games for school children. In view of the serious food situation which arose during the War the Board urged the London County Council to allow the use of the land for allotments, but under present conditions the Board think that the land should be restored to its normal use. The park is one of the few open spaces in a thickly populated neighbourhood and space for organised games for the children is most necessary.