HC Deb 04 August 1947 vol 441 cc1154-5

Lords "Amendment: In page 69, line 21, after "land" insert "or any part thereof."

Motion made, and Question proposed: "That this House doth agree with the Lords in the said Amendment."

Mr. Joynson-Hicks

It seems to me that this Amendment might cause a possible difficulty, and I should like to elaborate upon it for a moment. This Clause gives the Minister power to acquire substantial quantities of land, which, in his opinion, would not be otherwise adequately developed except with the aid of the national resources. The Amendment gives him the right, if necessary, not to acquire the whole of that land, but only part of it. I want to ask how the owner of the land is protected as regards a lump of land which is unprofitable. It may be that the Minister will exercise that right, and the owner will be left with land which is absolutely valueless as a piece of property. Could the Minister reassure the House on that point?

Mr. T. Williams

I can assure the hon. Member for Chichester (Mr. Joynson-Hicks) on this Amendment. It was moved by the Opposition in another place, and was accepted by the Government be-cause it was felt to be right and proper that the Government should not necessarily have to purchase the whole of any particular area of land which they had under review. I think it is a very reasonable Amendment for the noble Lords to suggest, and we readily accept it.

Question put, and agreed to.