HC Deb 04 October 1944 vol 403 cc1050-3

Amendments made: In page 8, line 35, leave out "a part of their area being."

In line 37, after "any," insert "such."

In line 38, leave out "and," and insert "or."

In line 40, leave out "replacements," and insert: re-location of population or industry or for replacement of open space.

In line 41, leave out "a part of their," and insert "an."—[Mr. W. S. Morrison.]

Mr. W. S. Morrison

I beg to move, in page 8, line 42, leave out from "of," to end of line 44; and insert: the following amounts, that is to say,—

  1. (i) as respects moneys borrowed to defray cost falling within paragraph (a) of this Sub-section, of amounts equal to the loan charges which the authority are liable to pay for the period of two years beginning with the date on which the moneys were borrowed, together with such further amounts as are provided for by the following provisions of this Section;
  2. (ii) as respects moneys borrowed to defray cost falling within paragraph (b) of this Sub-section, of amounts equal to the loan charges which the authority are liable to pay for such period as is mentioned in the last preceding paragraph, together with further amounts equal to one half of the loan charges which the authority are liable to pay for the period of two years beginning with the end of that period."
This Amendment makes a change in the financial arrangements we have previously considered and is in the direction of doing something more for the assistance of the overspill areas. The original proposition was that the grant-in-aid of the loan charges for acquiring the overspill land should be paid for the first two years and thereafter cease. The second paragraph makes a change which I think will be generally welcomed.

Captain Duncan

In the Explanatory Memorandum the cost of Clause 1 procedure is estimated in total to be of the order of £575,000,000. It is estimated that the amount payable out of the Exchequer will come to something under £50,000,000. To what extent does the Amendment affect these figures?

Mr. Morrison

I am afraid that I cannot give a figure reasonably accurate enough to be of assistance to my hon. and gallant Friend. As we get on, the size of the task will become more evident, and I shall be able to answer him.

Amendment agreed to.

Further Amendments made: In page 9, line 4, after "of," insert "such."

In line 4, leave out from "damage," to "incapable," in line 5.

In line 6, after "purpose," insert: and that the rendering of it capable of being brought into use has been for the time being impracticable or could have been accomplished only in a manner involving wasteful expense or bad planning. In line 15, after "concerned," insert: and with any local authority with whom consultation appears to him to be desirable."—[Mr. W. S. Morrison.]

Mr. Morrison

I beg to move, in page 9, line 20, at the end, to insert: and as to the application of the provisions of this Sub-section where those provisions have effect as respects more than one authority in relation to the same area of extensive war damage. It is thought that cases will arise where more than one local authority qualifies for a grant in respect of purchases in the same area of extensive war damage. These words are intended to deal with that situation in an equitable manner.

Amendment agreed to.

Mr. Morrison

I beg to move, in page 9, line 20, at the end, to insert: and in particular rules made under this Subsection may provide that in such circumstances as may be specified by the rules a development of land need not be treated as the bringing of the land into use for a substantial purpose, notwithstanding that apart from such provision it would fall to be so treated, so long as the local planning authority in question are prevented by such circumstances relating to the area as may be specified by the rules from obtaining a return from the development which is substantial having regard to the nature thereof. Under the Clause as it is drafted grants after the first two years cease to be paid on land as soon as it is capable of being brought into use for any substantial purpose. It is common knowledge that in the early stages of reconstruction planning authorities may only be able to let land on terms which include a preliminary period at a very low or nominal rent, hoping to recoup themselves later as the property becomes developed. If they did that the land might be held to be brought into use for a substantial purpose, but they would not be deriving any substantial revenue from it. The Amendment provides that the payment of grants shall be continued in respect of land so let in such circumstances as may be specified in rules hereafter to be made.

Amendment agreed to. 5.30 p.m.

Further Amendment made: In page 9, line 27, after "apply," insert "or are treated as having applied."—[Mr. W. S. Morrison.]

Mr. Morrison

I beg to move, in page 9, line 33, at the end, to add: () For the purposes of this Section the Minister may, in such cases as he may, with the consent of the Treasury, determine, treat land appropriated by a local planning authority for any of the purposes of this Part of this Act as if it had been acquired by them for that purpose in the exercise of powers conferred by this Part of this Act at such cost as the Minister may, with the consent of the Treasury, determine and as if the cost had been defrayed by the application, at the time of the appropriation, of moneys belonging to the authority. () Where the cost of the acquisition by a Local planning authority of any land is reduced by reason of the land being subject to a restriction on the development or use thereof imposed by or under any enactment, any payment made by the authority in connection with the restriction (whether by way of compensation or of contribution towards damage or expense incurred in consequence of the restriction) not exceeding the amount by which the said cost is reduced as aforesaid shall be treated for the purposes of the preceding provisions of this Section as if it bad been part of the cost of the acquisition of the land, and as if it had been defrayed by the application, at the time of the acquisition, of moneys belonging to the authority. Some local authorities have bought land, in anticipation of their reconstruction duties. As the Bill is drafted they could receive no grant in respect of those purchases, but that would mean that authorities who have acted with energy and forethought would be penalised in comparison with those who act only after the Bill has been produced. The Amendment is intended to put that right. The other object of the Amendment is to enable grant to be paid on compensation paid by authorities for restrictions which have reduced the cost of land acquired under the Bill.

Amendment agreed to.

Clause, as amended ordered to stand part of the Bill.