§ Sir K. WOODasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Agriculture whether he is aware that since the Armistice nearly half of the allotment holders in Camberwell have been evicted or have been served with notice to quit; that since that time sports grounds in the borough have been developed; that land owned by the Borough Council is being let at a nominal rental to a private golf club; that there is a great demand for allotments in the borough for which the Borough Council have failed to make provision; and what steps he proposes to take with a view to the statutory provisions being put into operation to supply the demand for allotments in the borough?
Sir A. BOSCAWENI understand that the Camberwell Borough Council has dispossessed or given notice to 221 plot-holders, and that the Governors of Dulwich College have also dispossessed about 100 allotment holders, the land in each case being required for building or housing schemes. In addition, the London County Council have discontinued the use for allotment purposes of certain commons or open spaces in the borough. I understand that certain land in the borough, which was formerly used for grazing, has, since the Armistice, been devoted to sports, but I have no information regarding any land cultivated as allotments being similarly used.
With regard to the third part of the question, I am informed that land at Honor Oak acquired by the Camberwell Borough Council in 1902 for a cemetery is let on lease to a golf club, but that the rent is not nominal. About 12 acres of this land has, with the consent of the club, been devoted to allotments, and I understand that the Borough Council hope to arrange that a further four acres will be used for the same purpose after Michaelmas next. In reply to the last part of the question, there is an unsatisfied demand for allotments in the borough, but the Council have up to the 915W present been unable to acquire any land under the Land Settlement (Facilities) Act on such terms as would permit of the Council letting the same for allotments at rentals which cultivators would be prepared to pay. In the circumstances, the Minister has decided to refer the whole position to the London County Council, which is the statutory authority for the provision of allotments throughout the London area.
§ Sir K. WOODasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Agriculture whether he is aware that notices to quit at 14 days have been issued to allotment holders at Aylesbury; whether, if these notices take effect, it will mean that food will be destroyed; and whether he can take action, with a view to securing that these holders remain on the land until October to harvest their crops?
Sir A. BOSCAWENI am informed by the Town Clerk of Aylesbury that no notices to quit have been served on allotment holders in the borough, but that the town council anticipate that a small portion of land now under cultivation will be required for building purposes, probably in September.