§ 23. Mr. Allasonasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government how many acres of land have been sold for housing by the Land Commission; and what was the average price per acre.
§ Mr. K. Robinson2.2 acres; £13,423.
§ Mr. AllasonDoes that include the case at Mudeford, near Christchurch, where 1½ acres were sold for £48,000? Is the Minister satisfied that the Land Commission is providing land for housing at reasonable costs, which was promised as a result of the Land Commission Act?
§ Mr. RobinsonAccording to my list, the site to which the hon. Gentleman 246 referred is not included. I am well satisfied that when the acquisition and sale policy gets into its stride, which I hope will be in the current year, the Land Commission will be able to provide land for housing at reasonable prices.
§ Mr. Graham PageBut the Commission has been in operation for just over two years. The great justification for it was that it would bring forward land for housing. It has brought forward only 2.2 acres over two years. Is it not time to abolish it?
§ Mr. RobinsonThe hon. Gentleman, with his political and professional experience, knows perfectly well that land acquisition is a very long-winded process. Furthermore, the reason why the start has been slower than we hoped has been explained on a number of occasions by me in our many recent debates on the Land Commission.