HC Deb 29 November 1960 vol 631 c180
8. Mr. Woodburn

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he has any plans to recover for the Government some share of the increased land values which are being created by the expenditure of public money on the Forth Road Bridge.

Mr. Selwyn Lloyd

No, Sir.

Mr. Woodburn

Is the Chancellor aware that it is very frustrating to local authorities and others who have to spend money on these public projects to see people raking in fortunes, or at least large sums of money, from increased land values towards which the people concerned have made no contribution?

Mr. Lloyd

I think that the right hon. Gentleman will know that the whole question of the taxation of land values is somewhat complicated and controversial. Previous experience in this field throws some doubt on the efficacy of efforts made to try to tax land values.