80. Mr. Rostron Duckworthasked the Minister of Town and Country Planning whether members of the Forces, and others, whose houses or business premises have been closed owing to absence on service or scarcity of tenants owing to evacuations and other causes incidental to the war, have to apply to the appropriate town planning authority for permission to re-occupy the premises after they have been closed for more than 18 months; and whether such owners or occupiers will have lost their right to compensation if the premises are subsequently closed by the planning authority under the provisions of any town planning scheme.
§ The Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Town and Country Planning (Mr. Henry Strauss)On the basis of the existing law the answer to both parts of the Question is Yes, Sir. My right hon. Friend is, however, considering whether Clause 41 of the Town and Country Planning Bill (as amended in Committee) should be extended to meet the type of case referred to by my hon. Friend.
§ 81. Colonel Lyonsasked the President of the Board of Trade whether, to remove doubt upon the safeguards afforded to the proprietors of one-man businesses who have been called up for war purposes and whose premises have been closed for 177 a period over 18 months, he will consult with the Minister of Town and Country Planning so as to establish that the protection afforded to those persons will not be prejudiced by any construction of Clause 41 of the Town and Country Planning Bill.
§ The Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Trade (Captain Waterhouse)I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the reply given to-day by my right hon. and learned Friend the Minister of Town and Country Planning to my hon. Friend the Member for Moss Side (Mr. Rostron Duckworth).
§ Colonel LyonsWill action be taken almost immediately?
§ Captain WaterhouseYes, Sir, in another place.