§ 54. Mr. Braineasked the Minister of Agriculture what total acreage of land in Essex he proposes to acquire compulsorily under Section 85 of the Agriculture Act, 1947; and how many owners of such land have lodged objections.
Mr. T. WilliamsThe total acreage of land in Essex of which purchase under Section 85 is proposed or in train is approximately 3,600 acres. There are about 1,000 known owners of this land, of whom about 300 made representations. Of these, 37 have so far appealed to the agricultural land tribunals.
§ 55. Mr. Braineasked the Minister of Agriculture when a final decision will be made concerning land in Essex he seeks to acquire compulsorily under Section 85 of the Agriculture Act, 1947, and in respect of which objections have been lodged by the owners.
Mr. T. WilliamsOut of the 3,600 acres of land in Essex where purchase under Section 85 is proposed, final decisions have been reached on 1,200 acres. On a further 400 acres, the decisions of the agricultural land tribunal are awaited, while on the remaining 2,000 acres, the representations of the owners and occupiers are under consideration, and it is impossible to say when final decisions will be reached.
§ Mr. BraineIs the Minister aware that many of the owners concerned expected their land to be de-requisitioned last year, but were suddenly faced, last summer, with the Minister's demand for compulsory purchase? Is he aware that they are still left in ignorance of what will happen to their land? Cannot he speed up a decision in order to avoid additional delay?
Mr. WilliamsIt is because we are so careful to give consideration to those who make representations that there has been this delay.