HC Deb 24 May 1966 vol 729 cc265-6
2. Mr. Loveys

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government whether he will review the position of areas that become blighted by planning proposals so that the owners may if they so wish have their property acquired in advance of the actual development.

Mr. MacColl

The statutory arrangements are adequate. Outside these my right hon. Friend cannot at present encourage local authorities to buy land in advance of need, except when hardship is fully demonstrated.

Mr. Loveys

Would not the hon. Gentleman agree that, although there are safeguards of some sort, they apply only to owner-occupiers, and that there are many cases of hardship to other owners who wish to dispose of their property? Does not the hon. Gentleman feel that it is an injustice for their assets to be frozen in this manner, sometimes for a long period?

Mr. MacColl

Where there is genuine evidence of hardship, my right hon. Friend is always disposed to give loan sanction to meet the difficulty.