§ 1. Sir John Mellorasked the Minister of Town and Country Planning how many Forms L.39 have been sent to owners of property by the Central Land Board; how many have been withdrawn; why they were sent; and why withdrawn.
§ The Minister of Town and Country Planning (Mr. Dalton)One hundred thousand and eighty-three, of which less than 300, sent in error, were withdrawn. The forms were sent to owners of single dwelling houses to ascertain whether their claims to compensation were admissible.
§ Sir J. MellorIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that it required a new form —R6/82—to withdraw these forms, will he agree that the issue of these forms caused a number of claimants to answer questions which were optional under Form S.1, and in the circumstances will he give an assurance that the information which they gave will not be used to their disadvantage?
§ Mr. DaltonNo information is ever used to anybody's disadvantage in this held. The percentage affected is remarkably small—less than 300 out of 100,083 —and will surprise the hon. Member by its smallness. It is less than one-third of 1 per cent.
§ Mr. Derek Walker-SmithDoes the Minister not realise that there is great indignation about these forms and that many people feel that they are now being compelled to make a valuation which they chose not to make on Form S.1 and thereby forfeited the contribution for their professional fees?
§ Mr. DaltonI have no evidence of that.
§ Sir J. MellorIn view of the unsatisfactory nature of the answer to this Question, I propose to raise the matter on the Adjournment.