§ 39. Mr. John Arbuthnotasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he will investigate the fact that a substantial number of private house building licences are being returned to local authorities because the applicants cannot afford the development charge; and if he will take steps to rectify this position.
§ Mr. MarplesMy right hon. Friend is already investigating the general question of development charge in all its aspects as part of the review of the financial provisions of the Town and Country Planning Act, 1947.
§ Mr. ArbuthnotWhen are we likely to get results from that investigation?
§ Mr. MarplesIt is too early to say yet, but I can assure my hon. Friend that a great deal of time, thought and research are going into a solution of the problem.
§ 40. Mr. J. Arbuthnotasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government whether he now has any further statement to make on his review of those sections of the Town and Country Planning Act, 1947, which deal with development charges on building plots for private occupation; and whether he will consider making any relief retrospective.
§ Mr. MarplesThis matter is extremely difficult and complicated, and my right hon. Friend is not yet able to make any statement.