§ 36. Mr. R. YOUNGasked the President of the Local Government Board whether he is aware that the Southampton Corporation are about to purchase fifty-four acres of land at Burgess Street for£225 per acre for housing purposes; that only a few years ago the present owner of the land bought it for about£80 per acre; and whether he can take any action to prevent the purchase of this land at such an increase in the price?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the LOCAL GOVERNMENT BOARD (Major Astor)The Local Government Board have received an application from the corporation for sanction for a loan for the purchase of the land to which the hon. Member refers and have directed a local inquiry to be held into the application. The Board have not at the present time any information with regard to the second part of the hon. Member's question, but the inspector has been asked to make inquiries on this point, and in accordance with the usual practice a valuation of the land will be obtained before the application for sanction is dealt with.
§ Captain WEDGWOOD BENNIs there anything in the Housing Bill or in the Acquisition of Land Bill to prevent such excessive prices as that being charged?
§ Major ASTORI am only responsible for the Housing Bill. Of course the Local Government Board inspector before giving sanction to any proposal would inquire into the question of the acquisition of the land.