HC Deb 28 September 1931 vol 257 cc17-9
18. Mr. MILLS

asked the Minister of Agriculture how much of the supplementary sum of £90,000 to assist unemployed and partially employed miners to start allotments, which was voted in December, 1930, has been used in Scotland, England and Wales, respectively how much reverted to the Treasury at the end of the financial year; and how many persons have been helped during 1930 and up to June, 1931?

The MINISTER of AGRICULTURE (Sir John Gilmour)

I regret that it is not possible to give separate figures for England and Wales respectively, while as regards Scotland I would refer the hon. Member to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland. As regards England and Wales the sum voted to enable unemployed or partially employed persons to undertake the cultivation of allotments was £80,000, of which £35,000 was surrendered to the Treasury at the end of the last financial year. It is estimated that £43,000 will have been spent when all accounts are closed, and of this amount approximately £17,000 is repayable by the allotment holders towards the cost of seeds, fertilisers and implements supplied. Approximately 64,000 persons were helped under the scheme up to June, 1931.

Mr. MARLEY

Does this reply mean that the charge falling on the Treasury for allotments amounts to 8s. 6d. per head per annum?

19. Mr. CECIL WILSON

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he has any information as to the number of allotments which have been taken up during each of the last five years; and whether he can state the local authorities under which the largest number have been taken up?

Sir J. GILMOUR

As the answer necessarily contains a number of figures, I will, with the hon. Member's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Following is the answer:

The estimated number of allotments in existence in England and Wales at the end of each of the last five years was as follows:

1926 … … … 1,079,000
1927 … … … 1,047,000
1928 … … … 1,024,000
1929 … … … 995,000
1930 … … … 965,000

The following local authorities provided over 5,000 allotments in 1930: Birmingham, Bristol, Leicester, Sheffield and Cardiff.

20. Mr. MILLS

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he will announce his decision in respect of the balance at present available from the fund granted in December last for assisting unemployed men to cultivate allotments and small holdings; and whether, as £15,000 of this represents payments by the men concerned for supplies provided, a prompt decision will be taken in view of winter planting?

Sir J. GILMOUR

I would refer the hon. Member to my full statement on this subject in the Debate on the Adjournment on 22nd September.

Mr. MILLS

Does the right hon. Gentleman agree with the last point of my question, that £15,000 represents payments for supplies?