HC Deb 20 July 1939 vol 350 cc708-9
55. Mr. McEntee

asked the Minister of Health whether the purchase by the Chingford Borough Council, in September, 1938, of 7.77 acres of land for approximately £10,000 for purposes of housing had his sanction; and what was the rateable value of this land previous to purchase?

Mr. Elliot

The proposal to acquire this land compulsorily was approved by me after a public local inquiry, but in January last the Council decided not to proceed with the purchase, and the compulsory purchase order was withdrawn.

Mr. Stokes

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that that price represents £1,300 an acre?

Mr. Elliot

But that price was not paid.

Mr. McEntee

Will the right hon. Gentleman answer the last part of the question, as to the rateable value of the land?

Mr. Elliot

I have just explained that the land was not purchased, and so that does not arise.

Mr. McEntee

But surely it has a rateable value, whether or not it was purchased?

Mr. Elliot

The question is, What was the rateable value of the land previous to purchase? If there was not any purchase, the question cannot be answered.

65. Mr. Bellenger

asked the Minister of Health whether consent was given to the Ashby Rural District Council, Leicester, to purchase, as a housing site, 14,275 yards of land, with a frontage of 584 feet to the road at Measham, for £654 5s.; whether this area has now been acquired at the price named or at what other price; for what purpose had it been used; and what was its rateable value previous to acquisition?

Mr. Elliot

I have given consent to the raising of a loan for the purchase for housing purposes of the site mentioned, and the land has been acquired at the price stated. The land was previously used for agricultural purposes and therefore derated.

Mr. Bellenger

Can the right hon. Gentleman say what is the basis of this price? Is it the price that would be paid by a willing buyer to a willing seller, or is it some fictitious value?

Mr. Elliot

It was the district valuer's valuation.

Mr. York

Is my right hon. Friend aware that this land is not strictly agricultural land but accommodation land?