HC Deb 11 May 1965 vol 712 cc254-5
20. Mr. Loveys

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government whether he will seek to make it obligatory for developers who use private roads leading to building sites to make good any damage caused to the roads.

Mr. MacColl

No, Sir. I have nothing to add to my reply to the hon. Member on 2nd February.

Mr. Loveys

Would not the hon. Gentleman agree that, while it might be wise that many of these roads should be adopted by the local authorities—which is what he replied to a previous Question from me—the authorities will not take them over until they are brought up to a certain standard? Does not this create difficulty?

Mr. MacColl

This is an intricate problem. Many responsible developers make ex gratia payments for any damage they do. This precedent might well be copied both by private developers and, in some cases, by public authorities.

Mr. Loveys

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that ex gratia payments are not a really satisfactory answer to this very difficult problem?

Mr. MacColl

It is probably a quicker way to get results than trying to define precise terms in which a compulsory grant would be given.