Mr. TREVELYAN THOMSONasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture whether he is aware that certain allotment-holders under the Middles-brough Corporation have received notice to terminate forthwith their tenancies, although the particular land they occupy was taken on the advice of Inspector Scroggs, of the Board of Agriculture, in February, 1918, who assured them on or about 24th February, 1918, that when this land was required for housing purposes he would see that their interests were protected? Is he aware that representations were made by the Secretary of the Mid- 2118W dlesbrough Allotment Holders' Association, Newport Branch, on 23rd February, 1919, and again since, asking for the protection of the Board of Agriculture, but no reply has been received, and will he see that attention is paid to this matter before; it is too late for effective action?
Sir A. BOSCAWENThe Board were informed by the Secretary of the Association on 21st December last that the corporation proposed to dispossess a number of allotments. Inquiries were made by one of the Board's inspectors, who ascertained that the land in question was required for a housing scheme which had been approved by the Local Government Board. In these circumstances the Board did not feel justified in pressing the corporation to reconsider their decision, but their attention was called to some adjoining land which would be suitable for allotments, and it is understood that steps are being taken to acquire it under the Small Holdings and Allotments Act. No trace can be found of any communication from the association since December last.