§ 47. Mr. Keelingasked the Prime Minister whether the declared policy of the Government, that the public will be given every opportunity to object to any Government proposal to acquire a common or public open space requisitioned during the war, means that all such proposals will be made under the Requisitioned Lands Act, 1945, and not under the Defence Act, 1842, which does not require the Government to give any such opportunity.
§ The Prime MinisterPart 2 of the Requisitioned Land and War Works Act cannot be used in cases where the land can be otherwise acquired under the Defence Acts. His Majesty's Government have, however, decided that in any case where the proposals now under examination involve the acquisition of a common or public space under the Defence Acts there will be full consultation, through the Minister of Town and Country Planning, with the local authorities and amenity societies which may be concerned.
§ Mr. KeelingWould the Prime Minister confirm the assurance given by the Under-Secretary of State for Air a fortnight ago, that the public will be given an opportunity to object in every future case when the acquisition of a common or open space is proposed?
§ The Prime MinisterThat is precisely what I have answered in reply to the hon. Member's Question. It is true that owing to a lapse on the part of the Conservative Government under Sir Robert Peel this provision was not in the Act of 1842, but we are correcting that.