§ 66. Mr. Tinkerasked the Minister of Health whether sanction has been granted to the Leigh Council, Lancashire, to erect 190 houses by direct labour off Warrington Road; whether the necessary 11 acres of land have been acquired, and at what price; and what was its rateable value previous to acquisition?
§ The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Health (Mr. Bernays)My right hon. Friend sanctioned a loan of £3,384 on 28th June, 1938, for the purchase by the Leigh Town Council of 11½acres at Warrington Road, Leigh, and in September last he agreed to the erection by direct labour of 186 houses thereon. The land formed part of a larger rateable hereditament, and, therefore, had no separate rateable value.
§ Sir H. WilliamsOn a point of Order. May I draw your attention, Mr. Speaker, to the fact that a number of questions are being asked on the subject of the rateable value of agricultural land, which has no rateable value? Is it necessary that the Paper should be occupied with questions which, obviously, are futile?
§ 67. Mr. Parkerasked the Minister of Health whether Dagenham Corporation have now completed the purchase of some 16½ acres of land at Eastbrookend for housing purposes; if so, what price was paid; what was the actual area; what was its former use; and what was the rateable value previous to acquisition?
§ Mr. BernaysYes, Sir. The purchase of the land to which the hon. Member refers was completed in October last. The price paid was £6,317, and the area 16.8 acres. The land has been used for agricultural purposes, and has, consequently, no rateable value.
§ Mr. StokesIs the hon. Gentleman aware that that means paying £400 an acre for agricultural land?