§ Mr. WINGaskd the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture if there are 14,000 acres of vacant uncultivated land in and around London; is he aware that the Vacant Land Cultivation Society is prepared to secure its cultivation if assisted to possession by tenure of 1233W long or short leases, by the Government; and whether, seeing the good work in the same direction already accomplished by this society, he will put himself into communication with that body with a view to the productive use of land now derelict?
§ Mr. ACLANDThe Department have no particulars of the acreage of vacant land in and around London. The last report of the Vacant Land Cultivation Society shows that in 1915–16 it was able to deal with the cultivation of 37 acres, and in order to assist them to extend their work a Grant of £100 from the Development Fund has been made to them on the recommendation of the Board. The Government is not in a position to assist the society to possession in the manner suggested, but my Department will be glad to continue in communication with them and further-help them by any means in their power.