§ 37. Mrs. Middletonasked the Minister of Town and Country Planning what steps he proposes to take to ensure that the purposes of the Town and Country Planning Act, 1947, in relation to the sale of land are carried out, and that would-be purchasers are not asked excessive prices by vendors who have lodged claims for compensation from the £300 million fund.
§ Mr. SilkinPurchasers of land for development are strongly advised to buy only on the terms recommended in the Central Land Board pamphlet, "House 1," with which the hon. Lady is familiar. Where approved development is being prevented because an excessive price is being asked for the land, there is a case for consideration of purchase, either by the local authority under Section 38 of the Town and Country Planning Act, 1947, or by the Central Land Board under Section 43 of the Act.
§ Mrs. MiddletonIt was very difficult to hear the Minister's reply. Will my right hon. Friend say whether he will take steps to see that the Central Land Board do use the powers entrusted to them under Section 43 to the 1947 Act to acquire compulsorily land in the circumstances I have outlined; and can he be sure that up to the moment the result of the 1947 Act has not been to inflate the price of land rather than to restrict it to existing value?
§ Mr. SilkinI am quite satisfied that the Central Land Board are using their powers under Section 43 where appropriate, and I am also satisfied that the effect of the 1947 Act has not been to inflate land prices.
§ Mr. StokesHas it not been my right hon. Friend's experience that almost invariably, people who deal in land have had to pay too much under his regulations and that only when local authorities are concerned is a fair price paid?
§ Mrs. MiddletonIn view of the unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I beg to give notice that I shall raise the matter on the Adjournment at the earliest possible moment.