Lavender Hill Allotments, Enfield

HC Deb 21 January 1964 vol 687 cc894-5

23. Mr. Mackie

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs why he gave a decision on the Lavender Hill allotments, Enfield, against the advice of his own inspector, the Middlesex County Council, and the Enfield Borough Council.

Sir K. Joseph

I had to decide the basis of compensation for land to be compulsory acquired by the local authority; my reasons were given in the decision letter of 4th July 1963, a copy of which I am sending to the hon. Member.

Mr. Mackie

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that he has also ignored the advice of the Minister of Agriculture, in the answer that he gave to the Council and the other bodies concerned, of which I have a copy? If the other areas were built up it would be more reasonable to leave this urea as an open space. Is not he ashamed to have legislation put on the Statute Book by his party which allows him, by one stroke of the pen, to put £250,000 from the public purse into private pockets, for doing nothing?

Sir K. Joseph

It is my responsibility to administer the Act, and that required me to decide in this case whether the land—which is being retained in allotment use—should be given a housing or an open space designation for compensation purposes. I explained in the letter to which I have referred that after considering all the evidence I decided in the way that the hon. Member knows.

Mr. M. Stewart

Does the Minister realise that, as a result of all this, if the public authority is to get this land it must pay £150,000 or £200,000 when, two years ago, it changed hands for £7,500? If, as the Minister maintains, that is the result of the law as it now stands, does it not underline the case for an alteration in the law?

Sir K. Joseph

That is a far broader subject, but it does not make sense to require that any subsidies needed to provide open space should fall on the backs of certain landowners.

Mr. Mackie

On a point of order. In view of the unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I beg to give notice that I shall raise this matter on the Adjournment.