HC Deb 21 September 1931 vol 256 cc1257-60
14. Mr. EDE

asked the Minister of Agriculture what steps the Government intend to take to encourage the growth of food on allotments cultivated by unemployed and other persons?

The MINISTER of AGRICULTURE (Sir John Gilmour)

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer which I gave on Friday, 18th September, to the hon. Member for Hallam (Mr. L. Smith), of which I am sending him a copy.

Mr. EDE

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that that was a statement that the Government were discouraging this work; and will he tell us what they propose to do to encourage it, in view of the desirability of keeping out foreign food imports?

Sir J. GILMOUR

The answer which I gave was that local authorities would not be prevented from establishing schemes on any economic basis.

Lieut.-Colonel Sir A. LAMBERT WARD

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider the advisability of reversing the position taken up by his predecessors in converting allotments into playing fields?

Dr. ADDISON

Am I to understand that the assistance from the Government towards the provision of these allotments for the unemployed is to cease?

Sir J. GILMOUR

Yes, Sir. It has been announced in the House already that effect cannot be given to the conditions of the Act.

Dr. ADDISON

Am I to understand that it is the considered view of the Government that it is not likely to help to have these men growing food for themselves?

Sir J. GILMOUR

No, Sir. The position of the Government is that in these times the money is not available.

Mr. EDE

Owing to the unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I beg to give notice that I shall call attention to this matter on the Motion for the Adjournment of the House.

15. Mr. PERKINS

asked the Minister of Agriculture the total number of smallholdings and cottage holdings that have been provided by the Gloucestershire County Council in that county since the passing of the Act of 1926?

Sir J. GILMOUR

Nineteen, Sir.

16. Mr. MacLAREN

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he is aware of the widespread demand by the unemployed for allotments and smallholdings; and what steps, if any, he proposes to take to meet it?

Sir J. GILMOUR

Judging by the volume of correspondence received by my Department since the introduction of the Agricultural Land (Utilisation) Bill, there is an appreciable demand for smallholdings on the part of the unemployed. As regards allotments, no applications have been made to my Department, but the experience of the Ministry last season was that the demand was not nearly so widespread as had been anticipated. As the hon. Member is aware, the financial position makes it impossible to allocate the funds necessary for the provision either of smallholdings or allotments under the Act referred to.

17. Mr. MacLAREN

asked the Minister of Agriculture the number of applications to date for allotments which have been received and which cannot be granted owing to the abandonment of the Agricultural Land (Utilisation) Bill?

Sir J. GILMOUR

No such applications have been received by the Ministry.

18. Mr. MacLAREN

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he will consider the advisability of promoting a national scheme whereby unemployed men may be enabled to produce food upon unused land?

Sir J. GILMOUR

No, Sir.

Mr. MacLAREN

In view of the abandonment of the Agricultural Land (Utilisation) Bill, is it not possible for the Government seriously to face the problem arising in view of the reductions being made in the unemployment payments and the destitution arising owing to the fact that the unemployed have no alternative; cannot something be done to make these men capable of growing their own food, to say the least of it?

20. Mrs. MANNING

asked the Minister of Agriculture the number of allotments which had been granted to unemployed men up to 26th August and the number which have been granted between that date and the present date?

Sir J. GILMOUR

Allotments for unemployed persons and others are provided by the local allotment authorities—the borough, urban district and parish councils—and I have no information as to the number provided at the dates referred to.

Mrs. MANNING

In view of the unsatisfactory nature of that answer and the impossibility of our having some in- formation of the numbers that have been allotted and those that are not being allotted, will the right hon. Gentleman try to get those figures for the House, and if he finds that—

HON. MEMBERS

Speech!

Mr. GEORGE HARDIE

Has a definite instruction been given to the local authorities asking them to cut down the possibilities of this development in every direction?

Sir J. GILMOUR

Naturally economies have to be in every direction at the present moment.

Mr. HARDIE

We are now being told that that has to be done, and I want to ask—[HON. MEMBERS "Speech!"] The seriousness of the situation brings these supplementary questions, and I want to ask whether we are to understand now that the possibilities for unemployed men being able to grow their own food are going to be denied them, that they are to he denied that natural right and placed upon the public assistance committees, placed upon charity? Is this Government denying the rights of the unemployed?

Mr. MARLEY

If these economies must be carried out, is it for the purpose of keeping us on the Gold Standard?

Mr. MACLEAN

The right hon. Gentleman has intimated by implication that instructions have been issued to local authorities; will he submit a copy of those instructions to Members of this House?

Sir J. GILMOUR

No. The local authorities are still able to proceed with the establishment of smallholdings and allotments, but of course the amount available is considerably less.

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