HC Deb 23 October 1975 vol 898 cc820-1
Mr. Barry Jones

I beg to move Amendment No. 45, in page 13, line 39 at end insert— '(3A) Except as provided by section 15(4) above, the Agency shall not, except with the consent of the Secretary of State, dispose of land for a consideration less than the best that can reasonably be obtained.'

Mr. Deputy Speaker (Sir Myer Galpern)

With this amendment we may discuss Amendment No. 46, in page 13, line 39, at end insert— '(3A) Except as provided in section 15(4) of this Act, the Agency shall not, except with the consent of the Secretary of State, dispose of or grant a lease of land for a consideration less than the return that can reasonably be obtained.'

Mr. Jones

In order to facilitate progress, let me just say that Amendment No. 45 makes the point sought by the hon. Member for Pembroke (Mr. Edwards) on Amendment No. 46 rather more accurately.

Mr. Wyn Roberts

The Government Amendment is almost identical to our own and we acknowledge a common debt to the Scottish Development Agency (No. 2) Bill, which included our amendment from the start. It is based on local authority law and practice. With reference to Section 15(4) referred to in the amendment, can the Minister confirm that the Agency can only dispose of land free of charge if it is to be used as a public open space and that if it is to be used by a local authority or a new town corporation for any other purpose, the authority will have to pay for it and the works carried out on it?

Mr. Barry Jones

I can confirm that.

Amendment agreed to.

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