§ 51. Commander Sir Archibald Southbyasked the Minister of Agriculture whether he has any information as to the number of allotments provided by the Urban District Council of Esher, on the Ditton Lodge Estate, Thames Ditton; how many of these are still available; how many have been let to persons of the artisan or working classes; whether any of the users of the allotments have gardens available for growing vegetables; and what rent is being paid to the Milk Marketing Board for such allotments?
§ The Minister of Agriculture (Mr. R. S. Hudson)As the reply contains a number of figures, I will, with my hon. Friend's permission circulate it in the Official Report.
§ Sir A. SouthbyIs the Minister aware that in October last the Metropolitan Water Board offered land to the council for this purpose in the immediate vicinity of the Ditton Lodge Estate and also at 306 East Molesey, and that the council did not take advantage of such offers?
§ Mr. HudsonIf my hon. and gallant Friend will send me particulars, I will look into them.
§ Following is the reply:
§ I am informed that eight acres of land are held for allotments by the Urban District Council of Esher on the site mentioned and would provide about 90 10-rod plots. The area already marked out for allotments is six acres, and on this area 51 10-rod plots have been let and 17 plots are still available for letting. The remaining two acres are not yet marked out. I have no information as to the number of plots let to persons of the artisan or working classes or of the gardens attached to the houses occupied by the allotment holders, although I understand that most of the plot holders live in houses of low rateable value. The rent paid to the Milk Marketing Board is at the rate of £2 per acre per annum.