§ 41. Mr. Deedesasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department on what date the Prison Commissioners decided to acquire Mr. Fegan's Homes, Goudhurst, Kent, for use as a detention centre for young men; and on what date the Cranbrook Rural District Council were first officially consulted about this proposal.
§ Mr. EdeOn 4th April I authorised the Prison Commissioners to acquire this property, subject to the concurrence of my right hon. Friend, the Minister of Local Government and Planning. I understand that my right hon. Friend has consulted the local planning authority, the Kent County Council, and that the County Council notified the Commissioners' proposals to the Cranbrook Rural District Council on 23rd May, 1951.
§ Mr. DeedesCan the right hon. Gentleman explain why the correspondence about this proposal was marked "Private and confidential" for the six months between January and the end of May; whether he is aware that there is very strong local opposition to this scheme in view of the fact that there are four big schools in the area; and will he now receive a deputation from the Cranbrook Rural District Council to discuss the matter in view of the fact that it has been kept secret for so long?
§ Mr. EdeI have already agreed to receive a deputation from the Cranbrook Rural District Council on 21st June. As to the other matters raised in that supplementary, when the public desire to obtain possession of property for a purpose such as this, it is generally in the public interest that the negotiations should be kept secret, at any rate at the beginning.