§ 2.36 p.m.
LORD INGLEWOODMy Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
§ [The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will advise local authorities acquiring by compulsory purchase order land claimed to be needed urgently for housing not to delay the service of notice to treat, in cases where the owners concerned are anxious to complete the sale.]
§ THE JOINT PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY, MINISTRY OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES (LORD MITCHISON)My Lords, Her Majesty's Government have no reason to think that this is a widespread problem, but if the noble Lord has any particular case in mind and will let me have the details, I will have inquiries made.
LORD INGLEWOODMy Lords, I thank the noble Lord. It may well not be widespread, I agree, but on the other hand the rare cases where it arises can cause very great hardship, as he will appreciate. Would the noble Lord look into the circumstances of the County Borough of Sunderland's recent compulsory purchase orders, when he might see that some hardship is being caused?
§ LORD MITCHISONI shall be glad to look into it.