§ 24. Mr. Parkerasked the Minister of Agriculture what steps are being taken, not only to stop the decline but to increase the area under allotments, in order to increase home food supplies and improve national fitness?
§ Mr. W. S. MorrisonI would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave 1224 to the hon. Member for Hanley (Mr. Hollins) on 5th May.
§ Mr. H. G. WilliamsHas my right hon. Friend's attention been drawn to the action of a great many local authorities in recent years in appropriating for other purposes land which was being used for allotments, and in view of the great desire of urban workers to have allotments, will he do what he can to prevent this?
§ Mr. MorrisonI have at present statutory powers to interfere in some degree in this matter, and I will certainly continue to watch it.
§ Mr. ThorneIs it not a fact that in a number of urban areas the local authorities have been absolutely compelled to take some allotments for the purposes of carrying out their building programmes?
§ Mr. MorrisonThere are cases in which the local authorities are compelled to take land of that kind for other purposes, but it is generally possible to secure alternative accommodation for allotments.