HC Deb 04 December 1930 vol 245 cc2363-4
81. Captain CROOKSHANK

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he will state the names of the members of the Committee to promote the cultivation of allotments by the unemployed; and what its functions are intended to be in view of the proposals now before the House in the Agricultural Land (Utilisation) Bill?

The MINISTER of AGRICULTURE (Dr. Addison)

The Committee is constituted as follows:

Sir William Waterlow, Bt., K.B.E. (Chairman),

The Rt. Hon. Sir Francis D. Acland, Bt.,

Miss Maud Bower

Captain L. F. Ellis, C.B.E., D.S.O., M.C.,

Dr. Joan Fry,

My hon. Friend the Member for West Toxteth,

The hon. Member for Mid Bedford, J. E. C. Johnson, Esq.,

Alderman F. Moore,

F. M. Osborn, Esq.,

The Rt. Hon. The Earl of Plymouth,

G. H. Purvis, Esq., F.C.S.,

John H. Robson, Esq.,

George W. Whitlock, Esq.,

with

Mr. C. W. Sabin of the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries to be liaison officer between the Committee and the Ministry; and

Mr. G. W. Giles, F.R.H.S., to be its Secretary.

The Committee has been set up for the following purposes:

  1. (1) To promote generally the cultivation of allotment gardens by unemployed persons or persons who are not in full time employment, and to stimulate the formation of voluntary local committees or societies for the furtherance of that object; and
  2. (2) To make arrangements for the provision of seeds, fertilisers and equipment for any such persons and for this purpose to constitute a society within the meaning of the Agricultural Land (Utilisation) Bill, i.e., an unincorporated body of persons.

Mr. SCOTT

Will the operations of that Committee also apply to Scotland?

Dr. ADDISON

Yes, the terms of reference are general.

Mr. SCOTT

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that in Scotland we have a National Union of Allotment Holders which is doing good work, and does he not consider that that work should be made available?

Dr. ADDISON

We are in conference with that body.

Mr. KIRKWOOD

I would like to ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he intends to put on that Committee any men who have had actual experience in the working of allotments?

Dr. ADDISON

I think that about half the members of the Committee have served in connection with the National Allotment Holders' Association for quite a long time.

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