HL Deb 29 January 1941 vol 118 cc259-63
LORD ADDISON

My Lords, may I ask His Majesty's Government whether they can make any statement on speculation in regard to schemes of reconstruction?

THE MINISTER OF WORKS AND BUILDINGS (LORD REITH)

My Lords, I welcome this opportunity of announcing a particular initial step in the preparatory work for reconstruction. In the debate on November 13 there was reference to the difficulties of compensation and betterment. Existing provisions have not worked satisfactorily. They have been proved an obstruction to planning throughout the country. The Royal Commission on the Distribution of the Industrial Population recommended that the subject should be remitted for expert examination. If it was important then, it is imperative now, with post-war reconstruction in view. I have accordingly appointed an expert Committee. The Committee will not deal with policy issues; these are the concern of the Government. In addition, confronted with the complication referred to in the noble Lord's question—the possibility of speculation during the war hampering or prejudicing the work of reconstruction thereafter—we have asked the Committee to advise urgently on that point.

The membership of the Committee is as follows:—With the approval of my noble and learned friend on the Woolsack, Mr. Justice Uthwatt, who will be Chairman, Mr. James Barr, Mr. Gerald Eve, Mr. F. R. Evershed, K.C., and Mr. James Wylie. The terms of reference are: To make an objective analysis of the subject of the payment of compensation and recovery of betterment in respect of public control of the use of land; To advise, as a matter of urgency, what steps should be taken now or before the end of the war to prevent the work of reconstruction thereafter being prejudiced. In this connection the Committee are asked to consider (a) possible means of stabilising the value of land required for development or redevelopment, and (b) any extension or modification of powers to enable such and to be acquired by the public on an equitable basis; To examine the merits and demerits of the methods considered; and To advise what alterations of the existing law would be necessary to enable them to be adopted. The latter part of these terms of reference makes it clear that the Government do not intend that reconstruction after the war shall be hampered or prejudiced in any way by speculative transactions or any other such individual operations carried out in advance.

LORD ADDISON

My Lords, we must, I am sure, recognise the high importance of the announcement which the noble Lord has just made to us. Any one who is familiar with this subject will recognise the truth of his statement that existing provisions in regard to compensation and betterment have not worked satisfactorily, and that they have proved an obstruction to planning throughout the country. I notice that it is further stated that the Committee will not deal with policy issues. I hope in that connection that we may here and now, have an assurance from the Government that the appointment of this Committee to deal with these expert and technical matters will not prejudice or prevent the discussion in this House at an early date of very important policy matters which are involved in these issues. Quite frankly, not wishing to say a word to minimise the importance of the announcement that has just been made, I find it a little difficult off-hand to visualise the consideration or the giving of advice upon these questions without a decision having been taken on matters of policy. However, I can only hope that this distinguished Committee will be able to do their work without finding themselves involved in that difficulty, though I should not be hopeful of their success.

May I ask the noble Lord, in further explanation of the last sentence of all, to assure us that the Government intend that the words "reconstruction after the war shall not be hampered or prejudiced in any way" include also that they shall not be delayed? I have a very painful and lively recollection of how things were delayed after the last war by the failure of decision on policy upon some of the matters here affected. Therefore, I should like, if I can, to get the assurance of the noble Lord that I can understand that the words mean "reconstruction after the war will not be hampered, or prejudiced, or delayed in any way." Apart from these general observations, which arise in ore's mind after a first reading at five minutes' notice of this very important statement, I most cordially thank the noble Lord for it and wish him the best success, reiterating my request that we shall not be prejudiced in any way in the matter of a free and full discussion of the important policy matters involved. I hope that discussion will be at a fairly early date—at all events when it suits our convenience.

VISCOUNT SAMUEL

My Lords, I am sure that the appointment of this expert technical Committee will be welcomed by all, but I would like to ask the noble Lord whether he expects to be in a position at an early date to make any statement on the general policy of His Majesty's Government on matters of planning and reconstruction? I feel sure your Lordships would desire to hold a discussion on that important matter as early as may be.

LORD. BALFOUR OF BURLEIGH

My Lords, if I may be allowed to add one word from his side of the House, I should like to offer my most sincere thanks both to the Government and to the noble Lord for his statement which has just been made. I must admit that I am a little surprised at the rather modified rapture shown from the Front Opposition Bench. I am quite sure the misgivings of the noble Lord will be found to be baseless. I for one without any reserve welcome the statement and I would remind the noble Lord opposite that it was described as a step in the preparatory work. I accept it as that. It does mark a very great step forward for which we should be grateful to the Government.

VISCOUNT MAUGHAM

My Lords, may I be allowed to add a word to what has been said? Everyone in the House I think will welcome the appointment of this Committee to deal with most important matters. The point which I should like to emphasize is that which the noble Lord who first asked the question emphasized. For my part I do not understand his reference to matters of policy. I cannot help testing the matter by considering for a moment what my position would be if I had the honour to be appointed Chairman of this Committee. I can hardly conceive any matter which will come into discussion before this Committee which does not raise matters of policy, and although I do not question the intention of His Majesty's Government, I think it would be very desirable if they would at any rate enlarge or extend the phrase so as not to prejudice evidence or discussion before the Committee on matters which seem to me to go to the root of almost every single topic which they are likely to discuss.

LORD. REITH

My Lords, I am grateful to those noble Lords who have commented on the announcement which I had the honour to make and I shall try to answer the points raised by them. I feel that I should be able to give the noble Lord opposite the assurance which he asks for that the appointment of the Committee will not prejudice discussion on policy in due course. Secondly, I would take delay as an instance of prejudice and I certainly meant, by referring to "hamper or prejudice in any way," to include "delay." In any event I assure the noble Lord that we will endeavour to cover that point satisfactorily. I am grateful to the noble Lord on this side of the House for his welcome and to the noble Viscount on the other side. On the particular question that the noble Viscount asked me, my reply is "Yes." I hope before long to be in a position to initiate in this House a general discussion on the policy of His Majesty's Government in the matter. I can say no more at present.

As to the remarks of the noble and learned Viscount who spoke last, I am sure he will appreciate what is involved in the words "an objective analysis" in the terms of reference. The terms of reference were drawn up in consultation with the learned Chairman and were satisfactory to him. Should he find himself in any way embarrassed or sub- ject to any limitation other than that which he would wish to be under—that is of keeping clear of controversial political issues; my reference was to that—I am sure he will quickly draw our attention to the fact.