§ 44. Sir Robert Birdasked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware that an area of 12 acres occupied by the Dunstall Park Allotments Association, and others, Wolverhampton, and intensively cultivated by them for 23 years, will be lost for food production if its proposed sale for building purposes is completed; and whether he will exercise his powers to retain this land in cultivation?
§ Sir R. Dorman-SmithAs the land in question is in private ownership and was not purchased or appropriated for allotments by the Wolverhampton Corporation, but only hired for the purpose, I have no power to prevent its sale and development for building purposes with the resulting disturbance of the allotment holders. I am informed that the corporation consider that in view of the high building value of the land it is impracticable to retain it for allotments. I understand that the corporation own other allotment land which they consider is reasonably suitable for the accommodation of the men who will be displaced.
§ Sir R. BirdWhile thanking the right hon. and gallant Gentleman for that reply, may I ask him whether he will be prepared to use his well-known powers of persuasion to induce the vendor and the buyers of this farm land to postpone the completion of the sale on patriotic grounds until the present national emergency has disappeared and thus retain the cultivation of this fertile land?
§ Sir R. Dorman-SmithI think the corporation will realise the views of the Government and the Ministry on this question, and I will do what I can to help.