HC Deb 11 May 1965 vol 712 cc247-8
17. Mr. Grant

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he will give the number of compulsory purchase orders on private dwellings made in the years 1960, 1961, 1962, 1963 and 1964.

Mr. Mellish

With permission I will circulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT a table for those years of the number of orders confirmed by the Minister of Housing and Local Government which were concerned primarily with the acquisition of houses for slum clearance or to prevent homelessness. Orders made for purposes not primarily concerned with the acquisition of houses may incidentally include some private houses, but the records are not in a form which would enable me to give the details.

Mr. Grant

I accept the need for compulsory purchase in the complex affairs of society, but is the hon. Gentleman entirely satisfied with the law relating to compensation? Is he aware that many of my constituents, particularly the older people who cannot get mortgages, do not feel that the strict test of market value is adequate compensation?

Mr. Mellish

With respect, that is quite different from the Question which the hon. Gentleman has put down. If he cares to put down a Question about compensation, I shall try to answer it.

Following is the table:

Year Orders confirmed Houses included
1960 … 752 30,800
1961 … 758 29,731
1962 … 710 28,546
1963 … 782 36,597
1964 … 802 35,377