§ 4. Mr. Murtonasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government when he proposes to introduce legislation to improve the level of compensation available to traders displaced by redevelopment schemes.
§ 44. Mr. Tilneyasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government whether he will introduce legislation to compensate the owners of houses detrimentally affected by new developments undertaken by Her Majesty's Government for the benefit of the community.
§ Mr. MacDermotAs I said on the Second Reading of the Town and Country Planning Bill on 31st January, my right hon. Friend has received representations about compensation and these are being studied.
§ Mr. MurtonWas not that a particularly timid remark of the hon. and learned Gentleman on Second Reading? Would not it have been better if the matter had been dealt with in the Bill? Although the last Conservative Administration improved the compensation terms, is not there still much hardship to small traders and builders who have maintenance work and are displaced?
§ Mr. MacDermotI thought that it was the complaint of hon. Members opposite that the present Government tried to put too much into their Bills. Compensation is a very complex matter, and the memoranda raised some very far-reaching issues. It would be wrong for us to try to bring forward legislation before being able to give proper study and thought to it.
§ Mr. WellbelovedIs my hon. and learned Friend aware that the question of fair compensation goes much wider than purely compensation for displaced traders? Will he speed up the process whereby legislation can be brought before the House that will bring a new basis of fair compensation for dispossessed owners?
§ Mr. MacDermotI accept that some aspects of the problem are more urgent than others, and we are naturally considering those first.