§ Mr. JOWETTasked the Minister of Agriculture how many local authorities have reported that they had taken no action to provide allotments; and how many have neglected to reply to the circular letter from the Central Allotments Committee sent to all local authorities on 1st January last and requesting reply before 22nd January last?
413W
§ Dr. ADDISONInformation as to the returns for the year 1929 received from allotment authorities in conformity with Section 59 of the Small Holdings and Allotments Act, 1908, will be found in the report on the work of the Land Division of the Ministry for the year 1929, of which I awn sending my hon. Friend a copy. The number of authorities who reported that no allotments existed in their administrative area on 31st December, 1929, was 6,129. In reply to the second part of the question, two414W circular letters were issued by the Central Allotments Committee on 1st and 28th January, 1931, respectively to county boroughs, boroughs and urban districts. 712 authorities have not yet replied to these letters, while 80 authorities have notified the Committee that for various reasons they have taken no action to provide allotments for unemployed persons. I am glad to say that the steps taken by authorities in districts where unemployment is severe have in most cases been encouraging.