§ 39. Mr. Braineasked the Minister of Local Government and Planning whether he will now give an assurance that freeholders whose properties will not be required for any of the developments proposed 996 under the master plan for the new town of Basildon will be left secure in possession of their freeholds.
§ Mr. DaltonI have nothing to add to my reply to the hon. Member on 7th November last.
§ Mr. BraineCannot the Minister appreciate that the effect of his policy so far is to cause a slump in the value of properties which are never likely to be acquired by the Development Corporation, thus causing financial loss and anxiety to innocent people? What are the reasons for the Minister's refusal to give the assurance for which the Question asks?
§ Mr. DaltonIf there is a slump, it is largely due, as I have said before, to the continuous activities of the hon. Gentleman in his own constituency.
§ Mr. BraineIs the Minister not aware that in the House on 15th May last, his Parliamentary Secretary said that it was the policy ultimately to acquire every freehold in the new town of Basildon, and in the light of this will the right hon. Gentleman now withdraw the most offensive remark which he has just made?
§ Mr. DaltonCertainly not, because I made a supplementary reply in an equivalent sense on 7th November, when the hon. Member asked a similar question and I gave him a perfectly straightforward reply.
§ Mr. BraineIn view of the unsatisfactory nature of the Minister's reply, I give notice that I will raise this matter on the Adjournment.