§ 31 Mr. W. Hamiltonasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will introduce legislation to ensure that the gain from rising land prices in many areas of Scotland consequent on current developments does not accrue wholly to landowners.
§ Mr. HamiltonIs the Minister aware that, according to a letter sent to me by the Minister of State and dated 14th October, land in the Fort William area, which cost £67 an acre before development, is now costing £750 per acre for housing? In view of the statement made by the Minister of Housing and Local Government about the form of nationalisation he is to introduce, may I ask whether the right hon. Gentleman can say what form of public ownership and development of land is to be introduced by him during the current Session?
§ Mr. NobleIt is true that ten years ago, when there was no development in the area, the figure for land, in one or two cases, was as low as £67 an acre. Since then it has risen from between £100 and £550, and at its present level it is roughly comparable with prices paid by county councils and small burghs all over Scotland.
§ Mr. RossSurely the development that has taken place and the increase in the value of this land is due to public expenditure and public enterprise? Are we to understand from the right hon. Gentleman that he has produced a grandiose plan for central Scotland which, if carried out, would lead to a greatly enhanced value for this land, but that he is prepared to see this enhanced value go to private landlords who have done nothing about it? Why does not he do something for Scotland?
§ Mr. NobleThe hon. Gentleman talks about land being increased in value by Government effort. It is perfectly true that in the Fort William area the Government played an important part—
§ Mr. NobleIt was £10 million out of £18 million, or perhaps a little more. But the Government effort was only part of it, and a great deal of the development, I am glad to say, was due to private industry. In these matters I am certain that my right hon. Friend the Minister of Housing and Local Government—who spoke about this in the House a day or two ago—is right. The way to maintain the amount of land we need for building is to see that there is plenty of it available.
§ Mr. HamiltonIs the right hon. Gentleman prepared to agree with the principle enunciated by the Minister of Housing and Local Government, that where land prices increase as the result of betterment by public enterprise, the increase in value should be channelled into public coffers and not private pockets? If the right hon. Gentleman does not accept that, then clearly there is a difference between the policy enunciated by himself and that enunciated by the English Minister.
§ Mr. HamiltonIn view of the unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I wish to give notice that I shall endeavour to raise the matter on the Adjournment.