§ 2. Mr. Cordleasked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will amend the Local Government Act to make provision for allotments.
§ The Minister for Local Government and Development (Mr. Graham Page)No, Sir. As I stated in reply to a Question by my hon. Friend the Member for Ilford, North (Mr. Iremonger) on 15th November, the Government intend to introduce in due course a separate measure to bring the law on allotments up to date.—[Vol. 846, c. 115.]
§ Mr. CordleIn my constituency there are hundreds of people who derive a great deal of pleasure from their allotments and they keep fit and active while tending them. Under the local government reorganisation there is no provision for the administration or upkeep of allotments. Does this activity not strongly merit encouragement, and will my right hon. Friend reconsider the matter?
§ Mr. PageThere is provision, because where a district has a rural parish the allotments will remain under the control of the parish. Elsewhere they will come under the control of the district. The law will remain as it is until we bring forward the reform, the purpose of which is to relieve local authorities of control from Whitehall in this respect.