HC Deb 23 November 1966 vol 736 cc1386-7
29. Mr. Barnes

asked the Minister of Transport what plans she has to amend existing legislation so that householders whose property borders new urban motorways and who suffer a consequent loss of amenity can claim proper compensation, even though the construction of such motorways may not actually involve the acquisition of any part of their property.

Mrs. Castle

I have no such plans. It seems to me to be reasonable to apply the general law on compensation to the effects of road schemes and I am satisfied that special legislation for highways would not be justified.

Mr. Barnes

Would not my right hon. Friend agree that, in London, in view of the G.L.C.'s outline plans for a new primary road network, this is very pressing? Would she also agree that the onus is very much on the G.L.C. and her Ministry to make the case to the public for the routes which are proposed?

Mrs. Castle

I understand that my hon. Friend is now complaining about the choice of routes rather than methods of compensation. I am not quite clear from his supplementary question, but as far as compensation is concerned, obviously any changes would, first of all, be very far reaching and would have to affect other than road schemes, and, second, would create as many anomalies as exist at present.

Mr. Galbraith

But does not this illustrate one of the great weaknesses in the whole of the Government's outlook, in that, when the community increases the value of somebody's property, the Government proceed to tax it, but when the community damages somebody's property, the Government do not make proper compensation?

Mrs. Castle

I do not accept that for a moment. In the case of the present law about compensation for the effects of road schemes, it is very difficult to establish the extent to which amenity has been damaged and whether there are not offsetting factors. Various Administrations have looked at this and have found it difficult to solve this problem, however much sympathy one may have with those on whom this kind of disturbance has been inflicted.