HC Deb 14 November 1973 vol 864 c493
8. Mr. Ashley

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he is satisfied that valuations for compulsorily-purchased properties are made on the same principles and standards for different local authorities.

Mr. Graham Page

The same statutory rules and basic principles govern all local authority valuations whether made by district valuers or local authority valuers. I cannot answer for individual standards.

Mr. Ashley

If individual standards are causing concern, as they are in my constituency, where a number of people are being offered grossly inadequate compensation when their properties are purchased compulsorily, ought not the right bon. Gentleman to investigate the position? Does he not agree that he cannot wash his hands of such matters, and that he should ensure consistency throughout the country?

Mr. Page

I investigated this complaint from the hon. Gentleman's constituency when the hon. Member for Stoke-on-Trent, Central (Mr. Cant) put a number of cases before my Department. When we examined those cases it was significant that in 23 out of 47 the offer made by the city estate valuer was less than the figure recommended by the district valuer. On that basis the district valuer is perhaps a little more generous than the authority purchasing the properties.