Mr. F. HALLasked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that the Bingley Urban District Council propose to convert certain allotments into a bowling green; that if this conversion is carried out 90 fruit trees and other foodstuffs, glass-houses, etc., will be affected; that several meetings of citizens in the district have passed resolutions protesting against the proposal, but the local authority persists in its intention; and whether, in the interests of food production, he will approach the local authority on this matter?
Sir A. BOSCAWENI am informed by one of the Ministry's Sub-Commissioners who has visited Bingley to make inquiries into this case, that the land in question was purchased some 13 years ago for the purpose of a public park, and that the Council have now decided to make a bowl-598W ing green and tennis courts upon that portion of the land temporarily let in allotments. The Council propose to provide suitable alternative land for the allotment holders who will be dispossessed and neither this Ministry nor the Ministry of Health has, I understand, any power to over-ride the decision of the Council-who are in the best position to know the local requirements for both allotments and recreation.