§ 37. Sir Waldron Smithersasked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that certain town planning authorities in the home counties are, for the purposes of bringing land within the green belt, seeking in their schemes, to pray in aid the powers of compulsory purchase vested in them by Section 25 of the Town and Country Planning Act, 1932; and whether he is prepared to state that where an owner has expressed his willingness to dedicate his property to green belt uses under Section 3 (c) (ii) of the Green Belt (London and Home Counties) Act, 1938, and to enter into an agreement with the planning authority under Section 18 of the latter Act, he will refuse to permit latent powers of compulsory purchase under Section 25 of the Town and Country Planning Act, 1932, to be applied as well in cases where a resident owner objects?
§ Mr. ElliotI am aware of the provisions referred to in certain planning schemes submitted for my approval. These schemes will, in due course, be the subject of public local inquiries, when interested parties will have an opportunity of making representations. Any such representations will receive my careful consideration in conjunction with my inspectors' reports.
§ Sir W. SmithersWhy cannot my right hon. Friend lay down, for the guidance of these authorities, the principles by which such matters should be governed?
§ Mr. ElliotIf my hon. Friend desires it, I could discuss with him in my office the various principles involved.