HC Deb 07 March 1935 vol 298 cc2111-3
23. Mr. BOSSOM

asked the Minister of Health whether he will request all town-planning authorities, having jurisdiction over land adjacent to existing arterial roads, immediately to town-plan all the existing undeveloped stretches more than 200 yards long on either side of the road for a depth of 100 yards from the line of the roadway as permanent open spaces to prevent the continuance of the prevalent ribbon development?

Sir H. YOUNG

No, Sir. Legislation dealing with the point he has in mind will very shortly be introduced.

46. Mr. BOSSOM

asked the Prime Minister whether he will cause an emergency Bill to be introduced requiring all new arterial roads to have a free and undeveloped belt one hundred yards wide reserved on either side to prevent ribbon development being continued pending the introduction of a fully considered Measure?

The LORD PRESIDENT of the COUNCIL (Mr. Baldwin)

As the House has been informed, the Government intend at an early date to introduce a Bill containing their proposals for dealing with this problem. An emergency Bill, such as my hon. Friend suggests, is, I think, in these circumstances, unnecessary, and would delay rather than expedite matters.

Mr. BOSSOM

In thanking the right hon. Gentleman for his answer, may I ask whether it is possible for this Measure to be brought in before building operations start in the spring, so that we shall not have another year of this blight of ribbon development?

Lieut.-Commander AGNEW

Could there not be emergency regulations of the type that the Minister of Transport brings in with regard to the roadside?

Mr. BALDWIN

I do not think it is necessary.

62. Mr. BOSSOM

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will investigate the possibilities of making appropriate compensation for acquiring a belt of land 100 yards wide upon all arterial roads or main roads that are being widened to prevent ribbon development being continued pending the introduction of a fully considered Measure?

The MINISTER OF TRANSPORT (Mr. Hore-Belisha)

My hon. Friend's suggestion has been noted in connection with the proposals now being framed.

Mr. BOSSOM

While thanking the Minister for his reply, may I ask him to bear the situation in mind when any road widening schemes or new road schemes are submitted for his approval before the proposed Measure becomes law?

Mr. HORE-BELISHA

Yes, Sir.