18. Captain BENNasked the Secretary for Scotland whether he has considered the recommendations contained in the Report of the Scottish conference on agricultural policy to the effect that assistance should be given for the equipment of allotments; and whether he is prepared to formulate a scheme for devoting to this purpose the £4,000 per annum provided for the development of allotments in Scotland under Section 18 (3) of the Land Settlement (Scotland) Act of 1919?
§ The SECRETARY for SCOTLAND (Sir John Gilmour)The recommendation that grants should be given for equipping ground for allotments is receiving my consideration, along with the other recommendations of the Conference, but I am not in a position to make a statement on the subject at present.
Captain BENNWill the right hon. Gentleman be able to say what the decision is before the House rises?
§ Sir J. GILMOURNo; I am afraid that is quite impossible.
§ Mr. HARDIECan the right hon. Gentleman say why it is that, in answer to any questions that contain the sum of £4,000, we never get that £4,000 mentioned by the right hon. Gentleman; where it is; if it is still there; how it is to be used; or any indication as to whether it is there or not?
§ Mr. STEPHENAre we to understand that the Secretary for Scotland is considering at the present time the spending of the £4,000 mentioned in the question?
§ Sir J. GILMOURNo, because it does not exist.
§ Mr. HARDIEWhere has the £4,000 gone?
Captain BENNIs the right hon. Gentleman not aware that Parliament has decided that £4,000 shall be spent in connection with allotments, and does he not think it only fair to the allotment movement to come to some decision as to what is the proper way in which to spend the money?
§ Sir J. GILMOURNo. Parliament decided that a certain sum of money should be set aside for various purposes in connection with allotments, but, as it was not utilised, it reverted to the Treasury, and it does not appear in the present Estimates.
Captain BENNIs it not a fact that the Land Settlement Act actually gave statutory sanction to this? Of course, an Estimate is needed, but what does the right hon. Gentleman intend to do to implement the intention of the Land Settlement Act?
§ Mr. HARDIEMight I ask why they did not spend the money when they had it?