§ 41. Mr. Tinkerasked the Minister of Agriculture what progress has been made with additional allotments; whether the progress is in keeping with his anticipation; and what steps will he take to improve the position?
§ The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Agriculture (Mr. T. Williams)Our intensive campaign for increasing the number of allotments has been conducted during the autumn and winter months, and the urgency and importance of the matter have been impressed on all local authorities, both by circular letter and by regional conferences throughout the country. The actual results of these efforts cannot as yet be precisely stated, but I have every reason to believe that they will be substantial.
§ Mr. TinkerIf I put down a Question in a month's time, will the hon. Gentleman be able to give me a more definite answer?
§ Mr. WilliamsI shall be very happy to provide the hon. Member with all the information at my disposal. I hope we may secure the assistance of every Member of the House in making the allotment campaign a success.
§ Mr. Ellis SmithIs the hon. Gentleman satisfied with the activities of local authorities, and, if not, will he take steps to stimulate them?
§ Mr. WilliamsThe conferences referred to were all with members of local authorities, and in the vast majority of cases they were not only sympathetic but enthusiastic.
§ Mr. LipsonIs the hon. Gentleman proposing to ask for a return from local authorities of the increased number of allotments?
§ Mr. WilliamsPresumably such returns will be sent in later, but it is too early yet to determine what the actual number will be.