§ 50. Mr. D. Priceasked the Prime Minister whether he will broaden section (b) of the terms of reference of the Committee of Inquiry into the practices and procedures of administrative tribunals so that the Committee may be empowered to consider, in the case of the compulsory purchase of land, the whole principle of appeal from the Minister to the ordinary courts of law.
§ 49. Mr. Marloweasked the Prime Minister whether he is satisfied that the terms of reference of the Committee which has been appointed to consider the practice and procedure of administrative tribunals are sufficiently wide to allow consideration by the Committee of the question of appeals from administrative tribunals to the ordinary courts of law.
§ The Prime MinisterThe terms of reference are, in my opinion, wide enough to include the question of appeals to the 1653 ordinary courts of law both from administrative tribunals and from Ministers exercising statutory functions in connection with the compulsory purchase of land.
§ Mr. PriceIs my right hon. Friend aware that his statement will give great satisfaction to people who have been the victims of compulsory land purchase and who feel that the present system whereby the Executive makes an order and the Executive tries the appeal is not entirely in accordance with British justice?
§ The Prime Minister indicated assent.
§ Mr. WadeIs the Prime Minister able to say whether there will be public hearings by this Committee, as the subject of administrative tribunals has aroused considerable public interest?
§ The Prime MinisterI think that would be a matter for the Committee itself to decide. Perhaps the hon. Gentleman will put down a Question.