§ Sir K. WOODasked the Minister of Agriculture what steps have recently been taken by officers of the Ministry, in consultation with the local authorities, to increase the number of allotments; and whether he can state generally the contents of the Reports he has received concerning the matter?
§ Mr. N. BUXTONThe District Land Commissioners of the Ministry, in the course of their ordinary duties, inspect and report on all land proposed to be purchased by local authorities for allotment purposes. During the past 12 months 41 such Reports have been received relating to an area of 490 acres. The Commissioners also inspect all land proposed to be reserved for allotments in town planning schemes, and in this connection they take into consideration the adequacy or otherwise of councils' proposals and report to the Ministry if any action is needed. Certificates as to the suitability of land proposed to be reserved for allotments were issued last year to 28 local authorities in England in respect of a total area of 1,072 acres. In addition to these routine duties the Commissioners also visit and report specially in any case where it is represented that the intervention of the Ministry is needed in the interests of allotment holders. A general indication of the contents of the Commissioners' Reports will be gathered from this answer.