asked the Minister for the Environment if he will make a statement regarding the provision of allotments to persons who request them in and around urban areas.
Written Answers. - Allotment of Land.
44.
The Acquisition of Land (Allotments) Act, 1926, as amended by the Acquisition of Land (Allotments) (Amendment) Act, 1934, empowers local authorities in urban areas to provide allotments if there is a demand for them. It is considered that the existing provisions, which are complex and involved an unnecessary degree of central control particularly in relation to acquisition and letting, are out-moded and need to be up-dated.
Accordingly, the devolution of powers to local authorities announced by me last May proposes the extension of local autonomy in matters such as land acquisition and disposal and includes the necessary up-dating of the law regarding the provision of allotments by local authorities.