HC Deb 21 January 1913 vol 47 cc205-6
35. Mr. PRETYMAN

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in June, 1909, a field known as Chattenden meadow, belonging to Mr. H. Gough, was acquired by the War Office, under the Defence Act, at the price of £500; whether, on 2nd December, 1912, Mr. Gough was served with a provisional valuation of the same land, placing its value, as on 30th April, 1909, at £845, and its assessable site value as £812; and whether this was an overvaluation for the purposes of Undeveloped Land Duty, or whether Mr. Gough received an insufficient price from the War Office?

Mr. LLOYD GEORGE

The Valuation branch of the Inland Revenue Department, who had nothing to do with the purchase by the War Office, adhere to the values quoted in the second part of the hon. Member's question, but it is still open to the owner to object to these values should ho think them excessive. The amount of Undeveloped Land Duty involved is something under a sovereign. On the facts as stated in the question, the War Office would appear to have made a good bargain.

Mr. PRETYMAN

Are not purchases under the Defence Act compulsory? Has the right hon. Gentleman looked into the matter? Is he aware that a compulsory notice was served upon this owner; that he stated that he did not wish to sell, and that the highest price the War Office would agree to give him without going to actual arbitration was £500?

Mr. LLOYD GEORGE

I understand that the transaction was not compulsory, but voluntary.

Mr. PRETYMAN

Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that the Defence Act is a compulsory Act, and that this purchase was to all intents and purposes compulsory; only it did not go to arbitration?

Mr. LLOYD GEORGE

My right hon. Friend tells me—I cannot myself be supposed to know—that the purchase was not under the Defence Act.

Mr. PRETYMAN

If it was under the Defence Act—

Mr. SPEAKER

It is obvious that the Chancellor of the Exchequer cannot know about the operations of the War Office—

Mr. PRETYMAN

With all respect, that was not the point I was going to raise. I wished to ask the right hon. Gentleman whether, as his Departmental valuers have fixed the value at £845, he will see that this Gentleman receives that price from the War Office?