§ Mr. Levyasked the Minister of Agriculture whether he will take steps to bring into cultivation the many thousands of acres of public parks in and near large centres of population, and inviting volunteer labour which is readily available, especially at week-ends, for this work?
Mr. HudsonConsiderable areas of land in public parks have already been brought under cultivation as allotments, and the question of opening up further areas in this way is constantly under consideration by the local authorities concerned who, however, also have to keep in view the requirements of the general public for adequate open spaces for recreation. The cultivation of allotments is likely to ensure more effective use of the land than would a voluntary scheme of the kind suggested by my hon. Friend. Further proposals for the use by local authorities, for food production, of land not required for allotments are, however, under consideration.