HC Deb 18 April 1950 vol 474 cc3-4
3. Mr. Hugh Fraser

asked the Minister of Town and Country Planning why, when the development charges to be paid on houses built on one of Stafford's municipal housing estates are £18 per house, the development charges on houses of almost similar size and construction built by private enterprise run sometimes as high as £210.

Mr. Dalton

The value of a piece of land, with permission to build a house on it, naturally varies with the situation of the plot and the expenditure necessary on the site, but if the hon. Member will let me have details about the Stafford sites, I will ask the Central Land Board for a report.

16. Mr. Gammans

asked the Minister of Town and Country Planning when he proposes to make an announcement regarding the composition of the committee to investigate complaints against the operation of the development charge under the Town and Country Planning Act; if the committee is to meet in public; and what procedure should be adopted by anyone who wishes to lay evidence before the committee.

Mr. Dalton

I do not propose to set up a committee, but as I informed the hon. Member for Maidstone (Mr. Bossom) on 28th March, I have asked the Chairman of the Central Land Board to report to me on possible administrative improvements.

Mr. Gammans

Will the right hon. Gentleman answer that part of my Question as to what procedure should be adopted by any person who feels he has a grievance against the operation of this charge?

Mr. Dalton

He should communicate with his Member of Parliament.

Mr. Bossom

Could the right hon. Gentleman yet issue any form of words which would give some indication of how these amounts are arrived at?

Mr. Dalton

I think it would be easy to issue such a form of words, but it would not be the first time it had been done.

Captain Waterhouse

Would it not be better to repeal the whole of this miserable Measure?

Mr. Dalton

No, Sir. I seem to remember that the present party in Opposition supported the Bill when it was going through Parliament.