HC Deb 17 January 1967 vol 739 cc323-4
Mr. Hoy

I beg to move Amendment No. 67, in page 56, line 7, to leave out from 'wife' to the end of the line and insert 'any lineal descendant or ancestor of his, and his brother and sister and any child of a brother or sister'. In Committee, I gave hon. Members an assurance that I would consider whether we could widen the definition of "family" without going so wide that the board's control over the transfer of land in its area would be seriously weakened. I have carefully considered the matter and come to the conclusion that we could go further, and the Amendment is designed to bring in nephews and nieces. I think that that will meet the wishes of hon. Members opposite who raised the matter in Committee.

Mr. Stodart

It does not go quite as far as my suggestion, which was to include many of the names in the Succession (Scotland) Act. But I was probably being a little greedy then, and I therefore merely thank the Parliamentary Secretary for including the nephews and nieces.

Amendment agreed to.

Mr. Hoy

I beg to move Amendment No. 68, in page 56, line 13, at the end to insert 'or, if the order establishing the Board so provides, before the expiry of such period not exceeding three months from the date on which it is established as may be specified in the order'. The Amendment will enable the Ministers to delay for a period of up to three months after the establishment of a board the operation of the control provisions affecting transfers of land. It may be thought desirable to allow an interval between the establishment of a board and the coming into effect of its control powers. The delay will give the board and its staff an opportunity of settling in to their duties and to decide upon the procedures to be adopted so that they can be ready to deal with applications for consent to sales of land as soon as the powers operate. I think that that is a reasonable provision and I hope that it will meet the approval of the House.

Amendment agreed to.

6.45 a.m.

Mr. Hoy

I beg to move Amendment No. 69, in page 56, line 28, to leave out 'twelve' and to insert 'six'.

This subsection enables a board to acquire by compulsory purchase any land which has been transferred without the board's consent. As it stands, a notice to treat must be served within 12 years of the transfer.

As I said in Committee, I have given the matter considerable thought, and I have come to the conclusion that six years would be long enough to achieve our purpose of providing an effective deterrent. I therefore ask the House to accept the Amendment, which was requested.

Mr. Stodart

The hon. Gentleman credited me in Committee with having moved this Amendment originally in the very first discussions. I have great pleasure in accepting it.

Amendment agreed to.