§ 26. Sir KINGSLEY WOODasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture what are the terms of the undertaking with regard to building given, by the owner of the land at Strathbrook Road, Streatham, now held as allotments under the Cultivation of Lands Order, which twenty holders have received notice to vacate at once; whether the Board's circular in regard to tenure, November, 1918, provides that land should be given up only for immediate building; whether he is aware that no active preparations have been made for building, and there can be no immediate building on this land; and whether, seeing that all preparations have been made by the holders for the coming season, and many have incurred expense in anticipation of longer tenure, he will taken action with a view to having these holders made secure in their tenure until at least the end of the season?
Sir A. BOSCAWENIt is for the Wandsworth Borough Council to satisfy themselves, before giving up possession of the land, that it will be used at once for building purposes. The Board are making inquiries of the borough council, but they have been assured that in every such case, before giving notice to the plot-holders, the council require an undertaking from the owner that he will 567 use the land for building, or other purposes incidental thereto, as soon as he obtains possession.
§ 27. Sir K. WOODasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture whether he is aware that 160 allotment-holders cultivating land at Acton Vale have been evicted from their allotments by the Office of Works; that intimation to quit was served on 17th April; that the land was taken, over under the Cultivation of Lands Order; that all preparations have been made for the coming season's crops; and that no notice to take this land was given to the urban district council until after intimation had been given to the allotment-holders; whether this was contrary to the Defence of the Realm Act; and what action he proposes to take in the matter?
Sir A. BOSCAWENThe Board have made inquiries into this case with the result that the Office of Works are endeavouring to secure an alternative site to avoid disturbing the allotment-holders. As soon as I have definite information on the subject I will communicate with my hon. Friend.
§ Sir K. WOODWill the allotment-holders be allowed to remain in possession of the land pending the inquiries of my hon. Friend?
§ 34. Sir K. WOODasked the First Commissioner of Works whether his Department has evicted 160 allotment-holders who were cultivating land at Acton Vale; whether notices to vacate were served on them on 17th April; whether, before such notices to quit were so served, notice of intention to take this land was given to the urban district council, pursuant to the Defence of the Realm Act; whether the owners of the land received any notice before the 17th April; whether the land so taken is estimated at£2,000 an acre for building; and whether there is other suitable and cheaper land available?
§ The FIRST COMMISSIONER Of WORKS (Sir A. Mond)Owing to the representations of the hon. Member, I have been able to arrange for an alternative site to be chosen, and although it is not so ideal, it will avoid the necessity of displacing the allotment-holders.