HC Deb 01 August 1961 vol 645 cc1124-5
13. Mr. Thorpe

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs whether he will order an immediate inquiry into the circumstances in which Plymouth City Council in 1954 compulsorily acquired five acres of agricultural land from Mr. Thomas Worden Bickle for municipal building at a price of £1,500; whether he is aware that the council has now decided to sell the same plot for private development far £15,000; and whether he will instruct the council to postpone any sale of this property until after he has held a full inquiry.

Mr. Brooke

These five acres form part of an area of over 200 acres acquired seven or eight years ago for housing purposes after a public inquiry. There is therefore no need for a further inquiry now into the circumstances of the acquisition. The buying and selling figures quoted by the hon. Member are not comparable, because in the 'interval the council has laid out the estate, of which this land forms a small part, with roads and services.

Mr. Thorpe

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that 33 acres of private property were compulsorily acquired by the Labour Council for municipal housing? Is he aware that not a single municipal house has been put up and that the Conservative majority intends to sell to private speculators, and that although, admittedly, £6,000 has been spent on drainage and other services, a £1,500 plot will be sold at £15,000? Is he aware that under Section 18 of the 1959 Act not a penny of compensation can be obtained by the private owner? Is he aware that no attempt has been to sell it back to him? Is he further aware that vast profits have already been made by selling to an industrial user? Is he seriously suggesting that this is a proper exercise of statutory powers by councils?

Mr. Brooke

The hon. Member has asked a number of questions. The original owner had every opportunity to tender for the land when it was offered for sale, but I presume that he did not wish to do so as he wanted agricultural land and the character of the land was no longer agricultural. The original purpose was stated at the public inquiry, when it was made perfectly clear that not all the land would necessarily be used for municipal housing. Any authority, whether Labour or Conservative controlled, is quite within its rights if having bought 200 acres, as in this case, it decides that some five acres should be made available for private houses.

Sir H. Studholme

Does not my right hon. Friend agree that in fairness to Plymouth City Council it should be emphasised that the council has not done anything illegal or underhand in this matter.

Mr. Thorpe

I did not say so.

Sir H. Studholme

Is he aware that these five acres have been advertised for sale three times and that Mr. Bickle's agents did not make a bid because any offer would have had to include—[Interruption.]—the cost of services brought by the council on to the land and that Mr. Bickle—

Mr. Thorpe

Absolutely outrageous.

Sir H. Studholme

If the hon. Member will keep quiet he will hear what I have to say. Mr. Bickle's agents did not make an offer because Mr. Bickle was not in a position to make such an offer. His trouble was, unfortunately, that he sold the land before the 1959 Act came into operation. Does the hon. Member for Devon, North set himself up as a champion of the liberty of the people in Plymouth, which is quite a long way from North Devon, when he—

Mr. Speaker

Order. The House is suffering from questions which are too long.