§ Sir KINGSLEY WOODasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture whether he is aware that twelve allotment holders cultivating less than half an acre of land at Wharf Road, Poplar, are paying at the rate of over £10 an acre per annum as rent and in addition they are called upon to pay 36s. a year as rates; whether, between rents and rates, the sum is excessive for allotments; and whether he will take steps with a view to securing that these holders, in view of the heavy rent they pay and the purpose to which the land is being put, shall be relieved of rates in accordance with the Circular giving discretionary power to local authorities in levying rates on allotments?
Sir ARTHUR BOSCAWENThe Board understand that the allotments referred to, which have been in existence for many years, are privately-owned and let by private arrangement. The Board cannot interfere with the terms of an agreement entered into privately. The arrangement with regard to rates referred to in the last part of the question, applies only to land taken for allotment? by the Board under the Defence of the Realm Regulations.
§ Sir K. WOODasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture whether the London County Council have notified the Woolwich Borough Council that they will resume possession on 1st January next of land at Greening Street now 'held as allotments; for what purpose this land is required; if required for building whether plans have been approved; what is the nature of the proposed building; and when it is intended to commence building operations?
1209W
Sir A. BOSCAWENThe London County Council notified the Woolwich Borough Council on the 26th May last that they would require the land in question as from let January next. The Board understand that the land is required for organised games by the schools in the neighbourhood for which purpose it was used before the War.
§ Sir K. WOODasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture whether the Lewisham Borough Council exercised its compulsory powers to secure the land at Canadian Avenue, Catford, now used as allotments; if not, why this course was not adopted; whether he is aware that, if the tenancy of these allotments is determined at the end of this year, considerable hardship will fall upon the eighty holders concerned; and whether he will represent to the Lewisham Council the necessity of their taking steps to secure the allotment holders in their tenure for a period of £wo years from the end of the War?
Sir A. BOSCAWENThe borough council did not exercise its compulsory powers to take the land in question, for use as allotments, because an agreement was arranged voluntarily between the council and the owners, and the Board understand that the allotment holders have been repeatedly warned and are well aware that the council's tenancy may be determined by three months' notice. The Board, therefore, do not see their way to make the representations suggested in the last part of the question in view of the fact that the council are bound by the agreement into which they entered with the owners. As the council have not received notice from the owners there is no reason to think that the allotment holders will be disturbed during the present season.