§ 84. Mr. Peter Freemanasked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware of the increase of rents being made to allotment holders in many parts of the country: and whether he will make 30W grants to local authorities to enable them to let allotments free, or at a nominal rent, so as to encourage a greater supply of fresh home-grown food in order to avoid the heavy cost of transport and importation expenses and thus help to rectify the balance of trade.
§ Sir T. DugdaleNo. I have no knowledge of any general increase in allotment rents, the great majority of which are very small. I am satisfied that the rents usually charged are not a deterrent to cultivators, and Local Authorities already have power under Section 10 of the Allotments Act, 1950, to let land at a reduced or nominal rent if special circumstances warrant it.