§ Mr. Kershawasked the Minister of Land and Natural Resources whether he is aware that by a circular sent out from his Department this summer, clerks of parish councils and meetings are to complete a form of 12 pages dealing with allotments; what was the cost of this circular; to what use the information will be put; how many replies he has received; and whether he is satisfied that the information obtained will be worth the trouble involved.
§ Mr. WilleyThis questionnaire to parish authorities was sent out in August by the Committee of Inquiry into Allotments at a cost of about £1,300. More than 3,000 replies have already been received.
The Committee's task is to review general policy on allotments and to recommend what legislative and other changes, if any, are needed in present-day conditions. It cannot reach sound 63W conclusions without accurate information and decided that this could best be obtained by approaching all allotments authorities, including the parishes.
There are some 75,000 acres of allotments in England and Wales. If the Committee can suggest solutions to the many problems that arise and can advise about the provision that should be made for allotments in the future its work will have been most valuable.