§ VISCOUNT BERTIE OF THAMEasked His Majesty's Government what is the estimated cost (a) to the Ministry of Health and (b) to local authorities in the event of the Town and Country Planning Bill becoming an Act of Parliament?
VISCOUNT GAGESince the cost depends on the extent to which the powers conferred by the Bill are used, it is not possible at the present stage to give any estimate. If the powers are widely used some increase in the Ministry's town planning staff may ultimately be requisite, but the Government do not anticipate that this will necessitate an increase in the cost of the Ministry as a whole. In the case of local authorities, it is expected that the savings in the value of land and buildings, the more economic conduct of industry, improvement in general amenities and health from planning ahead, will far exceed the small outlay involved in the preparation and administration of schemes.
House adjourned at half past four o'clock.