§ 54. Sir. W. Smithersasked the Minister of Agriculture what is the position of proprietors of sports grounds who voluntarily made their land available for allotments during the war; how they will be assisted to re-seed and level the ground; and whether any discrimination is exercised between them and owners of land compulsorily taken over for allotments, particulars of which have been sent to him.
§ Mr. T. WilliamsOwners who voluntarily let their land for allotments during the war have not in any sense acted as my agents, and although I appreciate their co-operation in the food production campaign, I have no authority to pay for the restoration of the land to its original condition. Owners were presumably in a position to charge rent for the land and, in the case of sports grounds, will have saved costs of maintenance. Owners of land requisitioned for allotments have a statutory right, upon relinquishment, to compensation for any damage done to the land during the period of the requisition.