§ 60. Mr. Hutchinsonasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware of the injustice which is occasioned to owner-occupiers of dwelling-houses compulsorily acquired by public authorities by reason of the operation of Section 52 of the Town and Country Planning Act, 1947; and whether he will introduce legislation to provide that in the case of dwelling-houses occupied by their owners the compensation payable upon compulsory acquisition shall be sufficient to enable the owners to acquire other premises with vacant possession.
§ Mr. JayThis matter was fully debated during the Parliamentary proceedings on the Bill for the 1947 Act, and I can hold out no hope of amending legislation now.
§ Mr. HutchinsonSurely the Financial Secretary recognises how unjust it is that a person should be turned out of his home and then paid compensation which is 1365 assessed upon a basis deliberately intended to prevent him from obtaining another house with vacant possession? Surely that is an injustice which this Act is bringing about, and to which the Financial Secretary ought to give attention.
§ Mr. Walker-SmithDoes not the hon. Gentleman realise that this Section was not fully debated in the House by reason of the fact that the Clause was introduced only on Report and that the Report stage was subject to the process of the Guillotine?