§ 13. Mr. Danceasked the Minister of Transport what progress he is making with his consultations with the Worcestershire County Council to speed up the settlement of claims by landowners for damage which they claim to have suffered during the construction of M.5.
§ Mr. HayAssembly of all the material information has been difficult, but over 30 items of claim have been examined. Subject to legal confirmation, I think it probable that my right hon. Friend is liable in respect of seven items, and we hope to write shortly to the claimants about them. Payment of one other claim has been approved. We consider the contractors alone to be liable for about half the items and we are pressing them to settle these. Further information is required, and has been asked for, in 11 cases. The remaining items, which are complex and difficult, are under investigation.
§ Mr. DanceI thank my hon. Friend for that very full reply. Is he aware that there is a great deal of irritation among the people concerned in my constituency? Can he evolve some scheme for the future so that when new motorways are built this sort of irritation does not occur and compensation is paid much more quickly than at present?
§ Mr. HayMuch of the trouble in this case arose over the dilatory way in which the contractor dealt with the claims. To my knowledge, it has not happened before and I hope that it will not happen again.