§ Mr. SITCHasked the Minister of Agriculture the number of allotments provided and controlled by the Birmingham Town Council and the number acquired under the provisions of the Defence of the Realm Act by that Council; what area of such land now held as allotments is expected at an early date for town planning, building, or road making; whether the Council pro- 952W pose to acquire the remainder of a, 14 years' lease for allotments and to hand over the allotments for administration to allotment societies as provided for in the Act; and whether, in particular, administration of the allotments at Belchers Lane will be handed over to the East Birmingham Allotment Holders' Association, Limited?
Sir A. BOSCAWENThe total number of allotments provided and controlled by the Birmingham Town Council is 15,255, of which 12,750 were provided under the Defence of the Realm Regulations. It is impossible to state what area of such land will be required for town planning, building, or road making. The Council propose to acquire on lease several areas, at present under Defence of the Realm Acts, for allotments, and when the negotiations have been completed the question whether the management of land will be handed over to allotment societies will Be considered. In reply to the last part of the question it is understood that the land referred to has been scheduled for town planning.