§ 36. Mr. Niall Macphersonasked the Secretary of State for War why he only offered £4,500, subject to certain deductions, for the purchase of Nunfield House, Dumfries, on behalf of the Territorial and Auxiliary Forces Association when he was aware that an offer of £10,000 had been made in December, 1947, by a third party 1742 subject to de-requisitioning of the property within one year; and what action he proposes to take in view of the refusal of the owner to sell at the price he has offered.
§ Mr. ShinwellThe offer, which was £4,600, less the capitalised value of any ground burdens, was in accordance with normal practice based on the restricted valuation of the property under the terms of the Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act, 1947. My Department was aware that an offer had been made by a third party, but the amount of the offer was not known. As regards the last part of the Question, the action to be taken is under consideration.
§ Mr. MacphersonOught not the right hon. Gentleman's Department to have acquainted itself with the amount of the offer by the other party, so as to reach some approximation of the real value of the property?
§ Mr. ShinwellWhen we make an offer for property, we are not aware of what our competitors have offered.