§ 80. Mr. Bossomasked the Minister of Town and Country Planning what action his Department proposes to take to prevent local planning authorities permitting the construction of housing estates by speculative builders on good agricultural land.
§ Mr. H. StraussI would refer my hon. Friend to a circular dated 3rd November, 1943, of which I am sending him a copy, in which my right hon. Friend gave advice to local authorities on the importance of preventing the unnecessary diversion of good agricultural land to other purposes and on the need for consulting the rural land utilisation officers of my right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture.
§ Mr. BossomIs my hon. Friend indicating that there is only advisory power and not compulsory power for these authorities to use agricultural land to the full?
§ Mr. StraussMy right hon. Friend has certain powers of control under planning legislation of 1932 and 1913, but perhaps my hon. Friend would like to consult the circular which I have mentioned.