§ 42. Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYasked the Minister of Transport whether he has examined further into the question of the land frontagers on the proposed new arterial roads; and what steps are proposed to ensure that the enhanced value of this land consequential on the building of these roads by the community goes to the benefit of the community?
§ Mr. GOSLINGAs I explained in my answer to the hon. and gallant Member on the 3rd June, I am taking all steps possible under existing enactments to 1113 prevent these works of public utility conferring undue benefit on adjoining landowners.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYIs the hon. Gentleman satisfied that his present powers will ensure this desirable result?
§ Mr. GOSLINGI am doing the best I can with the powers that I have, but I should never like to say that I am satisfied.
§ Lieut. - Commander KENWORTHYWill not the hon. Gentleman come to the House for further powers, and is he aware that he has a majority for that?
§ 43. Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYasked the Minister of Transport whether it is proposed to prohibit the building of houses, &c., within a certain distance of the new arterial roads; if so, at what distance; whether it is proposed to do this by legislation or by exercise of his existing powers; and whether he will consider taking steps to prevent the sides of the new roads being disfigured in the country districts by advertisement hoardings and signs?
§ Mr. GOSLINGIn the present state of the law it is impossible to ensure the general prescription of adequate building lines, and I am considering, in conjunction with the Minister of Health, what additional powers are required for this very desirable purpose. As regards unsightly hoardings, one of my predecessors issued a Circular last autumn to all local authorities, urging them to make use of their powers for the regulation of advertisements, and I believe that a Bill from another place, aiming at an extension of the powers of local authorities in this matter, is now before one of the Standing Committees of the House.
§ Lieut. - Commander KENWORTHYDoes that mean that, in the case of these new roads at any rate, the Government will see that they are not disfigured in the way that the old roads are?
§ Mr. W. THORNEHave not the local authorities the right to fix the building line, without interference from anyone?
§ Lieut. - Commander KENWORTHYWith regard to the last part of the question, are we to understand that the 1114 Government are going to prevent the disfigurement of the new roads by advertisement hoardings?
§ Mr. GOSLINGI am all against disfiguring public highways, and will help in any way I can.