§ 5. Mr. JOHNSTONasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware that under the 1935 Housing Act all questions of public acquisition of land are now submitted to the district valuers; whether these valuers can in fact cope with the increase in work thus given them; and whether he can say how many purchases have been approved and how many are still under examination in the county of Stirling?
§ Sir G. COLLINSYes, Sir. The Department of Health for Scotland consult the Valuation Office of the Inland Revenue Department in order to ensure that prices or feu-duties proposed to be paid for land for State-assisted housing schemes are reasonable. Steps are being taken to augment the staff of the Valuation Office to enable it to cope promptly with the additional work. Four purchases of land by the County Council of Stirling have been approved since August, 1935. In five out of ten outstanding cases the district valuer's reports have been sent to the local authority; in two cases the district valuer is negotiating for acquisition with the owners; and the remaining three cases are being investigated by the district valuer.