§ 45. Mr. Hollisasked the Prime Minister whether he will make a statement on the policy of His Majesty's Government concerning the acquisition of land by Service Departments and whether he will institute a public inquiry into the principles of that policy.
§ The Prime Minister (Mr. Attlee)It is the policy of His Majesty's Government that Service Departments should have available to them such land as is necessary for defence purposes; and that the determination of the land required should be settled on a considered balance of defence requirements, on the one hand, and of civilian needs on the other. Adequate machinery exists to give effect to these principles, and I see no need for an inquiry.
§ Mr. HollisCan the Prime Minister give an assurance that when land is acquired, it will be acquired under the Act of 1945, which provides for the possibility of a public inquiry, rather than under other powers?
§ The Prime MinisterI would like to have notice of that detailed question.
§ Mr. Skeffington-LodgeWill my right hon. Friend bear in mind that there is a considerable body of opinion on this side of the House which is most interested in this question, and will he give an assurance to the House that the Ministry of Town and Country Planning will, at least, never be an "also ran" compared with other Departments when deciding these questions?
§ The Prime MinisterI can assure my hon. Friend that all Ministers come to the post together on this matter; I give my personal consideration to this, but I cannot say how they will finish.
§ Mr. BeechmanWill the Prime Minister see that decisions in regard to the taking of land for Service purposes are quickly made, are definite and are taken with reference to national park considerations?
§ The Prime MinisterYes, Sir. Those considerations are taken into account as well.
§ Viscount HinchingbrookeIs the Prime Minister aware that, with regard to Ministers all running together, he has only recently placed the Minister of Town and Country Planning in the lead, and will he look into the machinery recently set up to see whether the Minister is able to announce a decision in this House at a very early date?
§ The Prime MinisterThe noble Lord is mistaken.