HC Deb 11 November 1969 vol 791 cc154-5
5. Sir H. Lucas-Tooth

asked the Minister of Transport whether the Committee set up to consider the problems raised by urban highway building will consider the question of the payment of compensation for damage, injurious affection and serious loss of amenity already suffered by such building, or which will have been suffered before any changes in the law which the Committee may recommend..

The Minister of Transport (Mr. Frederick Mulley)

The question of retrospection does not arise unless and until changes in compensation are, in fact, introduced. The problem of injurious affection is being tackled, on the one hand, as part of the general study of the compensation code initiated by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Housing and Local Government, with which my Department is closely associated. The main task of the Urban Motorways Committee, on the other hand, is to tackle this problem at its source by considering how urban roads may be better related to their environment.

Sir H. Lucas-Tooth

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that cases of severe personal hardship occur under the present rule and further cases will occur between now and any change in the law? Does he not think it necessary to give some hope to those who are suffering in this way?

Mr. Mulley

It was because of the growing public concern that my right hon. Friend set up the study, and that is a factor which will be very much in the Government's mind when they come to determine what action should follow the study.