§ 22. Mr. van Straubenzeeasked the Minister of Land and Natural Resources whether the proposed Land Commission will be an independent body on the lines of the old Central Land Board, or whether it will form part of his Department.
§ Mr. WilleyI must ask the hon. Member to wait for the introduction of legislation.
§ Mr. van StraubenzeeSurely the right hon. Gentleman can give us, at least in outline, what his thoughts are? [HON. MEMBERS:" No."] I am eternally hopeful. Would he not feel that the precedent I have given him might be useful to follow? Could he not in a sentence or two give his views on that?
§ Mr. WilleyNo, I must ask the hon. Member to await the legislation.
§ Mr. CorfieldHow does this square with the great phrase in the Labour Party manifesto:
Labour is ready, Poised to swing its plans into instant operation.
§ Mr. WilleyI am anxious to bring this legislation into operation as soon as possible, but I must ask the hon. Member to wait.
§ 23. Mr. Channonasked the Minister of Land and Natural Resources when he proposes to introduce legislation to establish a Land Commission.
§ Mr. WilleyAs soon as possible.
§ Mr. ChannonIs not the right hon. Gentleman aware that that reply will cause grave dissatisfaction? Would he not agree that there is grave uncertainty about this and it is in the public interest that he should give us his plans as soon as possible and publish a White Paper on the subject? In view of the fact that there is very little expert support for the plan, can he authoritatively confirm that he and his hon. Friends have decided not to introduce it in the first 100 days?
§ Mr. WilleyI have said that I will introduce it as soon as possible, and I am glad to note that both sides of the House have welcomed this.