HC Deb 08 June 1931 vol 253 cc609-10
40. Mr. O. LEWIS

asked the Minister of Agriculture the number of allotments in England and Wales the freehold of which is owned by public authorities and by private persons, respectively?

Dr. ADDISON

According to the latest returns, the number of allotments on land owned by local authorities on the 31st December, 1930, was 207,846, the area being 25,800 acres. The number on land owned by private persons was 739,087 on an area of 116,145 acres.

Mr. CHAMBERLAIN

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Chancellor of the Exchequer on the Second Reading of the Finance Bill stated that the bulk of these allotments were owned by local authorities, and how does he reconcile the statement he has just made with the statement of the Chancellor of the Exchequer?

Dr. ADDISON

I am not aware of the statement to which the right hon. Gentlemon refers, but I will inform myself of it.

Mr. CHAMBERLAIN

May we take it that the Chancellor of the Exchequer was entirely mistaken?

Dr. ADDISON

Before I assume that, I must know what the statement was.