HC Deb 17 November 1959 vol 613 cc953-4
8 and 9. Mr. Swingler

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs (1) to what extent the committee investigating private street works has examined the situation in Newcastle-under-Lyme; and what proposals it has made to remove the danger, nuisance and hardship involved by repairing these streets and bringing them under public ownership at the earliest possible moment; and

(2) what report and recommendations he has received from the committee investigating private street works; and if he will now introduce legislation to relieve the financial hardship of the householders involved and speed up the public adoption of these streets.

Sir K. Joseph

A Departmental survey is in hand based on information now being collected from all street work authorities, including the borough council of Newcastle-under-Lyme, but the subject is complex and it will take some time to decide whether any changes in the law would be desirable or practicable.

Mr. Swingler

Is the Parliamentary Secretary not aware that we were given to understand by the Minister in the last Parliament that a departmental committee was investigating this subject and was asked to report on what changes in the law were necessary to relieve hardship? Are we to understand that some change has taken place in the character of this examination? Why does he suggest that there can be so much time consumed and the committee cannot get on with the job quickly?

Sir K. Joseph

A Departmental survey is being undertaken of this complex matter. That is all that was promised in reply to the previous Question. It is getting under way and local authorities are being asked for replies.

Sir G. Nicholson

Is my hon. Friend aware that there is some urgent need for hurry and that large demands are made on ratepayers? Does he not agree that the situation has changed fundamentally since the Act of 1892 was passed and that it now costs much more to install roads and do street improvements? These streets are used not only by riparian dwellers but by the general public, and in many cases this charge represents an unconscionable charge on the house owners.

Sir K. Joseph

I accept entirely what my hon. Friend has said, but we must wait for the information from the local authorities on which we can conduct this inquiry. The Highways Act, 1959, has a very slight effect in making it easier for local authorities to help in hard individual cases.

Mr. MacColl

Does not the hon. Gentleman agree that these charges are an attempt to collect betterment from owners of houses? Now that we have abandoned any attempt to collect betterment under town and country planning legislation, is it not time that we reviewed the situation in relation to owner-occupiers?

Sir K. Joseph

I would not agree with the analogy. It is true that people who buy houses with frontages of this sort are deemed to have notice of the impending obligation, but because of the possible hardship we are making this inquiry.