§ Mr. CHARLETONasked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware that owing to the unfavourable weather conditions or similar reasons unemployed men are delaying in some cases applying for allotment gardens which are available for letting; and whether as time is short if plots are to be planted this season, he will see that publicity is given to the facilities available?
§ Dr. ADDISONYes, Sir, and a considerable number of public meetings are being held in the areas most concerned. I would add that it is most desirable that every plotholder who desires to apply should at the earliest possible date submit his application, forms for which are available at Employment Exchanges.
§ Mr. CHARLETONasked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is in a position to give any information as to the progress which has been made by Sir William Waterlow's central allotments committee in carrying out the Government's scheme for supplying seeds, etc., for unemployed persons desiring to cultivate allotments?
§ Dr. ADDISONI am glad to say that rapid progress is being made by Sir William Waterlow's committee. The committee has been fortunate in securing the voluntary services of all the local administrators who assisted in carrying 2321W out the Mansion House Scheme last year, and has also appointed a number of additional administrators in other parts of the country, so that an organisation now exists in all the areas in which there is serious unemployment.
§ Mr. CHARLETONasked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware that there is still a fear among unemployed men that if they cultivate an allotment garden they may lose the unemployment insurance benefit to which they are entitled; and whether, having regard to the provision made by Supplementary Estimate for the supply of seeds, fertilisers, etc., for such men, he is taking steps to bring the facts to the notice of officials of Employment Exchanges and the local allotment authorities?
§ Dr. ADDISONYes, Sir, and in this connection I would refer to the reply given on 29th January by my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Labour, in which he said that it seems to be clear from previous decisions of the Umpire that the cultivation of an allotment garden will be no bar to benefit if the cultivator is available to take suitable employment. Information on the subject has already been communicated to Employment Exchanges and to the local allotment authorities, and I shall welcome any assistance which Members interested can give in the direction of removing doubts on the subject from the minds of the unemployed.