HC Deb 07 May 1958 vol 587 cc1213-4
47. Captain Pilkington

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation what steps he is taking to shorten the present period usually required for designating and acquiring land needed to widen existing roads or build new ones.

Mr. Nugent

The necessary procedure has already been speeded up as far as is practicable and to go further could only be at the expense of reducing the rights of those who may be affected. I do not think that would be justified, particularly when it is borne in mind that the time taken to acquire land is not a vital factor provided it is possible to plan sufficiently far ahead, which we are doing.

Captain Pilkington

Has my hon. Friend studied the recommendations of the British Road Federation published recently, and does he consider that these are helpful?

Mr. Nugent

Sometimes.

Sir P. Agnew

Does my hon. Friend appreciate that, whilst the arrangements for acquiring land may have been speeded up, the arrangements for the terms on which it is acquired are not altogether satisfactory, and that in particular his right hon. Friend does not pay promptly for the land that he does so compulsorily acquire?

Mr. Nugent

That is a matter which is under consideration by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Housing and Local Government.