12. Mr. H. Wilsonasked the Minister of Works in how many cases since 1st January, 1955, his Department has taken over land, works or underground storage, which was already under requisition, and the basis on which compensation has been calculated.
§ Lord John HopeI assume that by "taken over" the right hon. Member is referring to acquisition both by agreement and under compulsory powers.
Since 1st January, 1955, five properties formerly held under requisition have been acquired by compulsory purchase, 80 freeholds have been acquired by agreement and 63 requisitions have been converted by agreement to leases.
Where freeholds have been acquired either by compulsion or agreement the basis of compensation was that provided in the Town and Country Planning Acts. Leases of buildings were negotiated on the basis of current market values.
Mr. WilsonIn cases where compulsory powers have been used and the legislation provides compensation on the basis of a willing buyer and a willing seller, does not the right hon. Gentleman agree that there is great injustice, since where a property has been held under requisition obviously its value is a great deal less when the Ministry uses compulsory powers than if it had been released, if only for a nominal period? Will he look into that again and see whether an amendment to the legislation is necessary?
§ Lord John HopeStrictly speaking, I think I am right in saying that any criticism of the basis of compensation ought to be addressed to my right hon. Friend the Minister of Housing and Local Government, but I shall certainly pass on to my right hon. Friend what the right hon. Member has said.
13. Mr. H. Wilsonasked the Minister of Works in how many cases where the premises of a productive concern, other than in agriculture, have been requisitioned for war purposes the Government have now acquired them on a permanent basis with the use of compulsory powers; and what basis has been used for compensating the undertaking concerned for loss of trade.
§ Lord John HopeIn the short time available I can give information only in respect of requisitions and purchases carried out by my Department on its own behalf.
The answer to the first part of the Question is "one"; and to the second part, that compensation was assessed by reference to the Acquisition of Land (Assessment of Compensation) Act, 1919, the Town and Country Planning Acts, 1947 and 1954, and the Requisitioned Land and War Works Acts, 1945 and 1948. The compensation thus assessed did not include an element for loss of trade since there is no statutory provision for such compensation.
Mr. WilsonDoes not that reinforce what I have said to the right hon. Gentleman about the need for an amendment of the legislation? If I give him details of certain cases where, on the face of it, there is great injustice, will he look at them with a view to the possible introduction of compensation? Is he aware that when a farm or a factory is taken over it is possible to set up business elsewhere, but in some cases where his Department has taken action it has meant the virtual extinction of a productive enterprise which by its nature cannot be transferred elsewhere?
§ Lord John HopeI should be much obliged if the right hon. Member would let me have details of some of the examples of which he is thinking. I shall see if I can help.