HC Deb 06 July 1939 vol 349 cc1485-6
55. Mr. J. Griffiths

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education the reasons for the price of £800 per acre paid for land purchased for school purposes at Panglaid Road, Aberystwyth, and whether his officers are satisfied that the price is a reasonable one in such an area?

Mr. Lindsay

The land was acquired by compulsory purchase and the price was fixed by the official arbitrator. No information is available as to the reasons for the price fixed, but I see no ground for questioning the price having regard to the scarcity of land suitable for building in Aberystwyth.

Mr. Griffiths

Does the hon. Gentleman regard £800 an acre as a reasonable price in a place like Aberystwyth, and does his Department fully approve the payment of such a price in that area?

Mr. Lindsay

The hon. Gentleman will understand that this price is fixed by the arbitrator and there are geographical reasons in Aberystwyth which make the purchase of suitable land particularly difficult.

Mr. Griffiths

Does the hon. Gentleman really suggest that the arbitrator has definitely fixed this price, and does the Department approve a price of this kind, which is regarded in all ways as fleecing the public?

Mr. Foot

Could the Minister say the amount of rates on this land?

Mr. Lindsay

The land is agricultural land.

Mr. Griffiths

Do I gather that the official arbitrator has fixed £800 per acre as the value of agricultural land in Aberystwyth?

Mr. Lindsay

That was the price fixed, and I can only say that the original price was a very much larger one. I said on an earlier occasion that this was agricultural land, so there is nothing new in that.

Mr. Griffiths

I wish to give notice that, owing to the unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I shall raise this matter on the Adjournment at the earliest opportunity.