HC Deb 08 February 1945 vol 407 cc2222-3
42. Mr. Glenvil Hall

asked the Minister of Education the area of the land adjoining South Hornchurch Council school which the Essex County Council has decided to acquire for £1,800 to provide another department to the school; and the value at which this land has been assessed for local taxation.

The Minister of Education (Mr. Butler)

The area of the site in question is one acre, one rood, 16 poles; the land being agricultural land has not been rated at all. I understand that the local education authority has now decided, in response to the Ministry's suggestion, not to acquire this land immediately but to apply for its reservation under the Town and Country Planning Acts until needed for educational development.

Mr. Hall

Do I understand from that reply that this authority will get the land more cheaply than at the present excessive price?

Mr. Butler

I really cannot say.

43. Mr. Glenvil Hall

asked the Minister of Education, in view of the proposals of the Devon County Education Committee to purchase land in the following seven towns for the extension of school buildings or the building of new schools, Axminster, Bideford, Crediton, Cullompton, Ilfracombe, Sidmouth and Tavistock, whether sites have been, or are being, acquired in any of these towns either by negotiation or compulsory powers; and whether he can state the area, the price and the previous rateable value of each of the sites in question.

Mr. Butler

The Devon local education authority have submitted a proposal to acquire by negotiation about 16 acres of land at Crediton for the erection of a modern secondary school, which is under consideration. The site is agricultural land and has not been assessable for rates. I understand that the authority are negotiating for a site for a new school at Tavistock, though no proposals have reached my Department. My only other information is that the authority have sites in mind for new schools at Axminster and Bideford, but have not yet entered into negotiations for the purchase.

Mr. Hall

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman if it is possible for his Department to buy land for schools in this way privately so that the authority or the individual owning it does not know that the public authority require it and therefore they might get it more cheaply?

Mr. Butler

I should have to look into that matter.