§ 21. Mr. LANE-FOXasked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that in many cases the housing schemes of local authorities are held up by the delay in securing the opinion of the district land valuer in disputed questions of the price to be paid for land; and whether he can expedite the decisions of the valuers, and so remove this cause of delay?
§ Dr. ADDISONI am satisfied that there is little delay in actual valuation. Where delay occurs it is usually in connection with negotiations where I am advised that the price asked is excessive. In such cases I think that, with a view to expedition, greater use should be made of the compulsory powers which local authorities possess, and I am urging this course upon them.
§ Mr. LANE-FOXMay I ask whether, in certain cases where delay does occur for want of a definite opinion, he will consider the appointment of specially-qualified men outside the Government staff, without increasing the Government staff, to make valuations?
§ Dr. ADDISONI do not understand how I could appoint additional men 1602 without increasing the staff, but perhaps my hon. Friend will give me any cases he knows of? I do not know of any.
Lieut.-Colonel W. GUINNESSWould it not be easy to take on a number of temporary men for a few months?
§ Dr. ADDISONWe do; we have a large number of temporary men taken on. If my hon. Friend knows of any cases where the figures are held up because of the absence of a valuer's opinion, I will have the matter dealt with at once.
§ Mr. LANE-FOXI will send the right hon. Gentleman particulars.