§ Mr. BattleTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many spare allotment spaces there are currently(a) in the London borough of Tower Hamlets, (b) in the Ancoats area of Manchester, on Teesside and (d) nationally.
§ Sir Paul BeresfordAllotments are a matter for the appropriate local authority, and this information is not held centrally. However, my Department is currently funding the National Society of Allotment and Leisure Gardeners to conduct a survey of allotment authorities. This aims, within the next two years, to produce statistics on the number of plots, vacancies and waiting lists,364W whether the site is local authority run or self-managed, and details of the site facilities.
§ Mr. BattleTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans the Government have to make available information to the unemployed on how to manage allotments and grow their own vegetables. [15260]
§ Sir Paul BeresfordMy Department is this year funding the National Society of Allotment and Leisure Gardeners with a grant of £35,000, part of which is designed to help promote allotment gardening and increase the take-up of vacant allotment plots, particularly by the unemployed. NSALG has a number of information leaflets available, including a starter pack for new tenants on how to grow vegetables.