HC Deb 16 February 1948 vol 447 cc828-9
50. Mr. Thomas Brown

asked the Minister for Agriculture if he will take the required steps to ensure allotment holders, who have taken over allotments, security of tenure for at least five years, in view of the urgent need for the production of home-grown foodstuffs for several years to come.

Mr. T. Williams

I assume that my hon. Friend has in mind temporary allotments on requisitioned land. The position under the Supplies and Services (Transitional Powers) Act, 1945, is that the Defence Regulation under which this land was requisitioned continues in operation until December, 1950. It is impossible to say at this stage whether the Act will be continued in force beyond that date by Order in Council.

Mr. Brown

Is the Minister aware that potential allotment holders are not so enthusiastic as they would be if they could have some security of tenure for the land they are now asked to take? Is he further aware that a large number of allotments consist of virgin land, and that it takes two or three years to get them into production?

Mr. Williams

I could not agree more that security of tenure is the thing which inspires people to cultivate the land.