§ 36. Sir K. WOODasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture whether a number of allotment holders cultivating land at Fife Road under the Cultivation of Lands Order, held from the Barnes Urban District Council, have received notice to quit their allotments; for what purpose this land is required; and whether he will secure that these holders shall have security of tenure of their plots until this land is required for some better purpose than that to which it is at present being put?
The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the BOARD of AGRICULTURE (Sir Arthur Boscawen)This land is required by the owner for immediate build- 10 ing, and the district council have other land available which will be offered to these allotment holders.
§ 37. Sir K. WOODasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture whether a number of allotment-holders under the Bognor Town Council have received seven days' notice to quit their allotments, which are held under the Cultivation of Lands Order, this notice expiring on 25th March; whether he will secure the withdrawal of the notices until an investigation has been made into the case; and whether, seeing that these holders have spent much time and money in preparing for the coming season's crops, and in view of the hardship involved in having to give up their plots, he will see that they are made secure in their tenure to enjoy the fruits of their work?
Sir A. BOSCAWENThe Board have been in communication with the district council on this matter. The land in question has recently been sold and the purchaser desires to use it at once for food production and eventually for building. In these circumstances the allotment-holders were warned that they would probably have to be disturbed, but it is hoped that arrangements will be made to enable them to remain in occupation till Michaelmas next in any case.
§ 40. Mr. SPOORasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture if he is aware that dissatisfaction exists amongst disabled soldiers who have become allotment-holders in remote districts owing to their inability to market their produce because of excessive freight rates; and whether, with a view to helping these men and further encouraging others to settle on the land, steps can be taken by his Department to provide easy and cheap facilities on some co-operative basis for conveyance of produce to market?
Sir A. BOSCAWENThe Board fully recognise that for the successful prosecution of small farming transport and marketing facilities are essential. Although they have no power of themselves to provide these facilities they hope to put into operation some experimental schemes at an early date. The subject is receiving every consideration, and the Board will maintain the closest touch with the new Ministry to ensure that the requirements of agriculturists are met.
§ Sir E. CARSONIs there going to be any legislation on the subject of allotments, and is the policy of the Government to encourage them?
Sir A. BOSCAWENYes, in the Land Settlement Bill, which will be introduced shortly, there is to be legislation to encourage allotments.
§ Mr. SPOORCould some temporary arrangement not be come to? A large number of soldiers who have taken allotments think of giving them up. Seed time is right on them now. Naturally they cannot be expected to incur a great deal of expense unless they are to have some guarantee with regard to their products. Is it not possible to have some temporary arrangement simply anticipating the provisions of the Bill?
Sir A. BOSCAWENI have said we are attempting experimental schemes, and I hope it may be possible to make some arrangement.