§ 21. Mr. Craven-Ellisasked the Minister of Health whether his attention has been directed to the indiscriminate apportionment by local authorities according to frontage of the cost of construction of roads flanking premises of property owners whether deriving advantage or the reverse therefrom; and what steps he proposes to abate the injustice occasioned?
§ Mr. BernaysThe law relating to private street works is at present under review by the Highway Law Consolidation Committee, and the particular problem to which my hon. Friend refers is receiving their attention.
§ Mr. Craven-EllisIs the hon. Gentleman aware that I raised this matter in the House some years ago, and how long does he think it will be before this injustice is removed?
§ Mr. BernaysI could not anticipate the findings of the committee or say when its deliberations will be concluded.
§ Sir Arnold WilsonIs the committee likely to recommend any modifications in the law seeing that it is a consolidating committee?
§ Mr. BernaysWe shall have to await the report of the committee.
§ Mr. LyonsIs my hon. Friend aware that there are many instances of owner-occupiers of small houses who are called upon to pay large sums for road development, and will he make some representations to local authorities in the matter?
§ Mr. BernaysAll these questions are being examined by the committee, and we are awaiting its report.
§ Mr. ThorneIs it not the duty of an occupier to find out whether the road has been made up or not?