§ 35. Captain W. BENNasked the Minister of Health, with respect to the land for housing schemes purchased by local authorities within the county of London, where the site and price have been approved by the Ministry of Health, what is the aggregate area and price of that land and what was the aggregate net rateable value attributable to it for local assessment purposes; and if he will give similar particulars with respect to the land purchased by local authorities within the rest of the Metropolitan police district?
§ Dr. ADDISONThe aggregate area in the case of land for which the site and price have been approved by my Department within the county of London is 777 acres, and the cost is £438,268, making an average cost per acre of £564. As regards the rest of the Metropolitan police district, the aggregate area is 2,646 acres, and the cost £817,579, making an average price per acre of £309. I have no information available showing the aggregate net rateble value attributable to the land in question for local assessment purposes.
§ Colonel WEDGWOODDoes not the right hon. Gentleman think that the net aggregate rateable value is a very pertinent question in connection with the price that is going to be paid for this land, and are we to understand that no inquiry is to be made as to the rateable value of the property in question?
§ Dr. ADDISONI have no doubt that in every case all those matters are taken into consideration, but I could not in answering a question give the various assessments of these numerous prices of land.
§ Captain W. BENNDoes the right hon. Gentleman say that in approving the figure paid for the land, he did take into account the rateable value of the land?
§ Dr. ADDISONAt the time.
§ Captain BENNIf the right hon. Gentleman did take that into account, cannot he give it?
§ Dr. ADDISONI have answered the question on the Paper. I will give any information I can. It certainly was a matter that was taken into consideration. I think that the price of £564 per acre for land purchased in London is very creditable.
§ Captain BENNIf I put down a further question, will the right hon. Gentleman supply the information?
§ Colonel WEDGWOODIt is now on the Paper.