§ 38. Mr. Spriggsasked the Attorney-General if he will seek powers to relieve property owners of meeting the cost of referring an appeal to the Lands Tribunal, under the Lands Tribunal Act, 1949, and the Land Compensation Act, 1961, for determination.
§ The Attorney-GeneralI do not think there is a case for affording property owners further assistance towards meeting these costs than they receive under the existing law and practice, whereby a successful appellant is normally awarded costs.
§ Mr. SpriggsIs my right hon. and learned Friend not aware that many of the owner-occupiers who lose their properties under compulsory purchase orders very often lose several hundreds of pounds or more on the properties which they are buying since the compensation paid is far less than the money which they are left owing and still have to pay? Will my right hon. and learned Friend reconsider his reply and do what he can to help these most unfortunate people whose only hope is to win an appeal?
§ The Attorney-GeneralMy hon. Friend's Question was directed to the question of costs. As I said, I do not think that the present arrangements are unsatisfactory, but if my hon. Friend has any particular case that he would like to draw to my attention, I will very willingly look at it.