§ Mr. SITCHasked the Minister of Agriculture whether a complaint has been made to his Department regarding the attitude of Brighton Town Council towards the allotment movement; whether, in particular, in July last, allotment holders at Ditchling Road were called upon by the Council to sign an agreement for which each plot holder paid 1s., and a few days later the holders were given a month's notice to quit; whether fresh land was promised to the society in August, but has, in fact, not yet been provided, in spite of repeated assurances by the Council; whether dissatisfaction exists among allotment holders in Brighton at the refusal of the Council to co-opt representatives of the societies on the Allotments Committee as other councils have done; and what action he proposes to take?
§ Sir R. SANDERSYes, Sir. A complaint was received regarding the action of the Brighton Town Council with regard to Ditchling Road allotment holders, and inquiry was made into the matter by one of the Ministry's inspectors. It appears that the land referred to in the second part of the hon. Member's question was required for building, and the Ministry is now informed that it has been arranged to allocate immediately for allotments 15 acres of Roedale Farm owned by the Brighton Town Council and now let for agricultural purposes, and the Ditchling Road allotment holders will be offered land thereon. In reply to the latter part of the question, the Ministry made representations to the Council regarding the desirability of co-opting on to the Allotments Committee persons interested in the allotment movement who are not members of the Council. The Council have, however, decided not to co-opt and, as the matter is entirely one for the discretion of the Council, the Minister has no power to intervene further.
447W
§ Mr. SITCHasked the President of the Board of Education whether it is proposed that a site at Burlington Lane, Chiswick, now held as allotments, will be utilised for the building of a boys' school by the Middlesex Education Committee; if so, when it is proposed to commence building; and whether he will represent to the appropriate authority the necessity of the allotment holders being allowed to cultivate the land until building can actually begin?
§ Mr. FISHERThe Board approved in August last preliminary plans for a boys' secondary school in Burlington Lane, Chiswick. No further action in the matter appears to have been taken. I am informed that at a recent meeting of the Middlesex Education Committee it was decided to extend the tenure of allotment holders for another year.