§ Mr. T. GRIFFITHSasked the Minister of Agriculture whether the Plymouth Town Council have made a large increase in the rents of allotments under their control; for what reason this increase has been made; and whether he will cause an immediate investigation to be made into this case?
§ Mr. PARKERThe Ministry has ascertained that the increase in the rents of the allotments in question from 1s. to 1s. 6d. per perch is rendered necessary in order to comply with Section 27 of the Small Holdings and Allotments Act, 1908, which provides that the rents shall be fixed at an amount not less than such as may reasonably be expected to ensure the Council from loss. The Ministry is informed that the Council consider the revised rents reasonable, and I am not prepared to interfere.