HC Deb 31 March 1930 vol 237 cc881-2
32. Mr. EDE

asked the Minister of Agriculture if schemes for new railways or widenings of existing railways which involve the acquisition of common land and manorial wastes are brought to the notice of his Department; and, if so, what steps he takes to secure that an area at least equivalent to that so taken from the common or waste shall be added?

Mr. N. BUXTON

By Standing Orders of this House, Nos. 30 and 33 (17), where power is sought in a Private Bill to take any common land for the purpose of the Bill, particulars must be deposited at the Office of the Ministry, which makes a report to Parliament upon the proposals. In framing its report the Ministry invariably gives due consideration to the question whether an area at least equivalent to that to be taken from the common should be added thereto and, unless there are special circumstances which would make such a suggestion unreasonable, recommends the insertion of a provision to that effect. The Standing Orders do not require any reference to the Ministry in cases where the land to be acquired is manorial waste which is not common.

33. Mr. EDE

asked the Minister of Agriculture if schemes for new roads and road widenings, which involve the acquisition of common land and manorial wastes, are brought to the notice of his Department; and, if so, what steps he takes to secure that an area at least equivalent to that so taken from the common or waste shall be added?

Mr. BUXTON

Schemes for road widening or road construction under the Town Planning Act, 1925, the compulsory provisions of the Development Act, 1909, and the Public Health Act, 1875, involving the acquisition of common land, are brought to the notice of the Ministry, and in the absence of express sanction of Parliament require the consent of the Department, which is only given if an equal area of land is added.

Mr. C. WILLIAMS

May I ask where that equal acreage of land comes from? Does it come by reason of cultivated land being made waste land?

Mr. BUXTON

I did not quite catch the hon. Member's question.

Mr. WILLIAMS

Where does this equal acreage come from?

Mr. BUXTON

The authority acquiring the land is compelled to furnish an equivalent.

Mr. EDE

May I ask whether there are any road-widening operations in which the circumstances of the inclusion of common land have not to be submitted to the Ministry?

Mr. BUXTON

Yes, there may be exceptions, where the land is acquired voluntarily under the provisions of the Development Act from the lord of the manor owning manorial rights.

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