31. Mr. Leeasked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation what steps are taken by his Department to ensure that land earmarked for major road development schemes is not purchased from private owners for other uses.
§ Mr. Boyd-CarpenterLand earmarked for trunk road schemes is safeguarded from development inconsistent with such schemes by laying down the line in a development plan, or in an order or scheme made under the Trunk or Special Roads Acts, and by directions given as necessary on my behalf under the Town and Country Planning Acts, 1947.
Mr. LeeIf it is found, for instance, that the North-West Coal Board has acquired private land in Newton-le-Willows in Lancashire which we were given to understand was earmarked for the North-South road, what action could the right hon. Gentleman take to ensure that a coal mine is not dug on the site of the road?
§ Mr. Boyd-CarpenterAs the hon. Member will appreciate, it is difficult to deal with a particular case without notice, but if he will study the answer he will see that control operates not over the purchase of the land but over its use.