§ 14. Mr. Probertasked the Secretary of State for Wales what further information he has received concerning land prices in Wales.
§ Mr. Gibson-WattThe most recent information is that given in the first issue of the Digest of Building Land Prices, sponsored jointly by the House Builders' Federation and the Estates Gazette. The digest showed that the price of land varied greatly from area to area.
§ Mr. ProbertIs the hon. Gentleman aware that in 1972 one acre of land in Swansea cost £40,000 whereas that same acre of land in 1971 cost £15,000? Does the hon. Gentleman agree that, apart from the impossible burden which high prices place upon young people wishing to buy their own houses, this makes complete nonsense of the Government's insistence that trade unions must restrict their wage demands whereas nothing is done to restrict land prices?
§ Mr. Gibson-WattI agree that the price of land is a matter of concern to everyone. However I have some good news for the hon. Gentleman. In two areas in South Wales, Llantrisant and 15 Cardiff, considerable acreages have lately become available for building—
§ Mr. ProbertAt what price?
§ Mr. Gibson-WattOne of the main ways of bringing down the price of land is to get more land available for building.
§ Mr. GowerMight not this matter be assisted if my hon. Friend pressed local authorities to ensure the release of land more quickly and, where land was released, the condition was imposed that the planning permission should be used and that the building should be erected within a prescribed time?
§ Mr. Gibson-WattI shall have to look at the second part of my hon. Friend's suggestion. Certainly I agree with the first part of it, and 320 acres have lately been made available in the Cardiff area.
§ Mr. RowlandsWill the hon. Gentleman also assist by supporting the idea of urban land nationalisation, which would remove speculation in and exploitation of land in the interests of householders and of every other form of community development in Wales?
§ Mr. Gibson-WattNo, Sir.