28. Sir GEORGE HAMILTONasked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware that the estates agents acting for the Commissioners of Crown Lands advertised on 26th September last a plot of land to be let in Ilford; that the borough council applied for this land on 28th September, being very anxious to secure it for playing fields; and that after some delay and repeated requests on the part of the council for a definite reply the agents informed the borough council that this plot had been let to the first applicant; and whether, in view of the disappointment of the borough council and especially of the education committee, he will arrange for the Commissioners to offer another suitable plot in the immediate locality for the purpose of playing fields?
Mr. GUINNESSThe land in question was advertised for letting on the 24th September last and the three following days. Application for particulars was received from the local authority on the 1st October, but meanwhile four other applications had been received, and the Director of Education was so informed by the Crown Receivers in a letter dated the 4th October. It was not until the 16th October that the Director of Education wrote proposing to negotiate for the land, but by that time negotiations with one of the previous applicants, who wished to lease the land as a sports ground, were so far advanced that they could not be broken 1389 off. The Commissioners of Crown Lands will gladly consider an application by the local authority for a lease of any other Crown land in the district which may be available for the purpose of playing fields.