HC Deb 18 October 1949 vol 468 cc457-8
6. Mr. Douglas Marshall

asked the Minister of Town and Country Planning if he will give further consideration to extending the time in which claims for loss of development value can be made.

The Minister of Town and Country Planning (Mr. Silkin)

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to a similar Question on 31st May last by the hon. and gallant Member for Brixton (Lieut.-Colonel Lipton).

Mr. Marshall

May I ask the Minister whether in cases where there has only been a matter of a few days' delay, arising out of the heavy rush of work at that time, he will—even in those cases—reconsider this matter?

Mr. Silkin

I am sorry but I have no power to grant any latitude, apart from making an entirely new order.

Colonel Dower

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the number of particulars which are asked for and which have to be sent in is very large and that in a few months' time all these claims and other charges may be so much waste paper?

Mr. Stokes

What is the legal position of a person who does not listen to the wireless and does not read the Press and who then finds himself dispossessed? What happens?

Mr. Silkin

I am afraid that he is a very ignorant man.

Mr. Stokes

No. Mr. Speaker, with great respect, does my right hon. Friend know that I never listen to the wireless and rarely read the Press?

Mr. Silkin

My answer still holds good.

Mr. Hopkin Morris

Following upon that question, might I ask the right hon. Gentleman what happens to the person who believes that this is a matter for the local authority?

7. Mr. Thornton-Kemsley

asked the Minister of Town and Country Planning the aggregate amounts of claims for loss of development rights in respect of properties in England and Wales and in Scotland respectively, submitted by 30th June, 1949.

Mr. Silkin

Claimants were not required to state the amount claimed in formulating their claims and the majority have not done so. The information desired is therefore not available.

Mr. Thornton-Kemsley

Can the Minister give the House any information about the total of the claims in respect of which amounts have been formulated?

Mr. Silkin

Not without notice.