§ Mr. FITZPATRICKasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if compulsory powers will be granted to the Department of Agriculture in Ireland to acquire land for allotments for labourers and artisans in towns where district councils have failed to get such land by agreement?
§ Mr. DUKEThe Department of Agriculture, under the Defence of the Realm Regulations, have been given compulsory powers to acquire land situated in or near an urban district if they are of opinion that, in order to provide necessary food for residents in the locality, land in or near that district is immediately required for the purpose of being cultivated in allotments, and that the use of the land for that purpose is unreasonably withheld; and they can delegate this power in an approved case to an urban district council for the purpose in question. The Department and the Local Government Board are taking the necessary stops to give effect to the Regulations without delay.