§ 2.35 p.m.
§ [The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government whether any estimate can be made of the amount of land that remains undeveloped notwithstanding that for a period of three years or longer such land has been scheduled for immediate development in town maps that have been confirmed by the Minister of Housing and Local Government, or are awaiting confirmation.]
THE JOINT PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY, MINISTRY OF HOUSING AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT (EARL JELLICOE)My Lords, this information could be obtained only from the local planning authorities who would, presumably, have to carry out a special check. Moreover, a nation-wide figure would not be of great significance, since the pressure on land is local in character.
I am, however, grateful to my noble friend for raising the question of land—particularly housing land—lying idle. I would remind your Lordships of the statement made by my right honourable friend, the present Chief Secretary to the Treasury, in another place on July 20, 1961. He then made it plain that if land was being held back from development and an artificial shortage was being created in that way, so that urgent housing needs could not be met, we should be prepared to consider a compulsory purchase order made by the local authority concerned. I should be glad to consider any case which my noble friend may wish to put to me.
VISCOUNT GAGEMy Lords, I am grateful to my noble friend for that 118 reply, and I should like to ask him one further question. I think he will agree that it is quite a common charge to-day that town planning restrictions are artificially putting up the price of land. That being so, does he not think that a survey, even of a partial character, would be of some public interest?
EARL JELLICOEMy Lords, I am aware that there may be a feeling along the lines suggested by my noble friend, but I have endeavoured to show that it is our view that a wide survey would not really meet the case, in that the local planning authorities, who are faced with urgent needs, are presumably aware of cases in which, though land has been allocated for development and planning permission has been given, development does not follow. If there were a national survey, it would include local authorities who have not these pressing requirements, and would also overtax the already over-stretched resources of local planning authorities.
§ LORD MORRISON OF LAMBETHMy Lords, does the noble Earl appreciate that the local authorities themselves are being held up in land acquisition owing to speculation and the inflated price of land, which has gone up shamefully—indeed, the Government have encouraged it to go up and have increased the compensation which has to be paid to landowners by local authorities? Therefore, if the Government are willing to consider a compulsory purchase order, is it not the case that the Government have already added to the filthy lucre of the speculators and to the difficulties of the local authorities?
EARL JELLICOEMy Lords, I do not think noble Lords would wish to get into a debate at this stage on the whole question of land prices. But in reply to the noble Lord's question, I would say that the basic reason for the rise in the price of land is a reflection of three facts: first, the expanding economy; second, the very rapidly expanding population, and third, the fact that these Islands are small.
§ LORD LATHAMMy Lords, would the noble Earl not agree that there is a fourth reason; that is, the repeal by the present Government of the provisions of the 1947 Act dealing with development, compensation and betterment?
VISCOUNT GAGEMy Lords, as the one who started this discussion, may I say to my noble friend that I really limited it to the Question I put down? A familiar line of argument seems to be developing on a somewhat false premise. Perhaps I am not in order in saying so, but I hope to put down a Question which will give a bigger opening for a debate on this matter. I am grateful to my noble friend, and I hope he will consider having a survey, which is what I asked for, even in a limited manner.
§ LORD SILKINMy Lords—
§ THE LORD PRESIDENT OF THE COUNCIL AND MINISTER FOR SCIENCE (VISCOUNT HAILSHAM)My Lords, now that we have removed the safety valve, perhaps we could confine ourselves to the Question, or else—
§ LORD SILKINMy Lords, I was proposing to confine myself to the Question. The question I wanted to ask was whether there had, in fact, been any compulsory purchase orders made under the decision of the Minister.
EARL JELLICOEMy Lords, I think I should be wise to ask notice of that question, but, speaking off the cuff, I do not think we have as yet had any request. There has been none, so far as I know; but if I am wrong I will let the noble Lord know.
§ LORD LATHAMOf course, the local authorities take the view that the proposal will not help the matter at all.