§ 29 Mr. Ellis Smithasked the Minister of Agriculture (1) whether he has given consideration to the leaflet N issued by the National Allotments Society; and what steps are to be taken to implement the policy advocated in the leaflet;
(2) whether he is aware of the continued decline in the number of allotments being worked and of the insecure tenure; and will he introduce legislation to encourage the allotment holders and assist the local authorities and associations of holders to acquire land permanently;
(3) whether he is aware that allotments produce £8,000,000 worth of fruit and vegetables per annum, and that this production could be increased if more security of tenure was given to the holders; and will he make a statement of the Government's proposals for dealing with this national need?
§ 32 and 40. Sir Francis Fremantleasked the Minister of Agriculture (1) whether he is aware that, as a result of frequent and recurring disturbances of allotment tenancies there is a definite retrogression in allotment cultivation; and whether he is taking any steps to encourage allotment holders by obtaining for them greater security of tenure;
(2) having regard to the great contribution to national fitness and safety made by fresh fruit and vegetables, to the value of approximately £8,000,000 per annum, produced by allotment-holders, what action he will take to encourage the cultivation of allotments and gardens?
§ 34. Mr. R. Gibsonasked the Minister of Agriculture the average number of allotments in cultivation during each of the past three years; whether he has any statement to make regarding the causes producing the fall in the number of such allotments; and what proposals he has to check the fall and to extend the area of land under allotment cultivation?
§ The Minister of Agriculture (Mr. W. S. Morrison)I have received the circular letter and leaflet recently issued by the National Allotments Society. While I am not aware of any official estimate of the annual value of the produce of allotments, they constitute an important source of food supply as well as providing a healthy and useful form of recreation. Complete 18 statistics as to the number of allotments in the past three years are not available, but the estimated total numbers of allotment-holders in England and Wales in urban areas at 31st December, 1935 and 1936, were 611,900 and 606,000 respectively, and the provisional figure now available for 31st December, 1937, is 592,500. The decline in the number of allotments is due mainly to the demand for land for other purposes in urban areas, particularly for housing. Local authorities possess ample powers of land purchase for allotments. I have impressed on them the importance which the Government attach to the provision of an adequate number of permanent allotments, and shall continue to do so. The society's proposals regarding the acquisition of further land and the provision of greater security of tenure for allotment-holders would require legislation, and, in this connection, I would refer hon. Members to the reply which I gave to the hon. Member for Hanley (Mr. Hollins) on 5th May.
§ Sir F. FremantleIs it not the case that arrangements have been suggested for the inclusion of allotments in town planning schemes, and that has not been very much availed of; and will my right hon. Friend consult with my right hon. Friend the Minister of Health to see that more use is made of this, in the way of getting permanent provision in town plans?
§ Mr. MorrisonI understand that a number of local authorities have included permanent provision for allotments in their town plans, and this is under my constant attention.
§ Sir F. FremantleIs it under the constant attention of the Department concerned with town planning schemes?
§ Mr. MorrisonYes, Sir. We are working in collaboration.
§ Mr. R. GibsonIs it not possible, under existing arrangements, where land, at present used for allotments, is taken by a local authority for housing purposes, to make such acquisition subject to the provision that alternative land shall be given for allotments if required?
§ Mr. MorrisonYes, Sir. I have power to require local authorities to provide alternative accommodation when allotments land is taken for building; and only 19 in cases where no alternative land is available for housing and it is absolutely necessary, is my consent given. In every case I have urged upon local authorities the need for alternative accommodation.
§ Mr. R. C. MorrisonWill the Minister look into the difficulty local authorities are having in urban areas in obtaining land for allotments, particularly in view of the constant pressure upon local authorities to keep rates down and the fact that much of the land available can be obtained only at quite prohibitive prices?.
§ Mr. MorrisonThat is covered by the statutory powers which many local authorities possess.