§ Sir K. WOODasked the Minister of Agriculture, whether he is aware that allotment holders at Pendennis Road, Streatham, Wandsworth, were evicted On 31st December last for the reason, it was stated, that the land was required for immediate building and development; whether he is aware that a considerable 2326W area of this land is at present lying derelict and that-it is believed no building can take place for a very considerable time; and whether he will take steps with a view to the land being utilised for food production until it is definitely required for building purposes?
§ Sir R. SANDERSYes, Sir, the Wandsworth Borough Council decided to withdraw from possession of the land in question, which had been utilised for allotments under the provisions of the Cultivation of. Lands Orders, on the ground that application had been received from the owners for possession to enable them to proceed with the construction of roads and sewers and the development of the site for building purposes. The question of the acquisition of the land under the provisions of the Allotments Act, 1922, was again considered by the appropriate Committee of the Council a few weeks ago, and it was decided that, in view of the very probable early development of the land, no action should be taken in the matter. As the Council have presumably arrived at their decision in the light of their local knowledge of the circumstances, I am not prepared to interfere in the matter.