§ Mr. Boothbyasked the Minister of Town and Country Planning whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that real property is changing hands at inflated prices throughout the country; and, in view of the serious effect that the continued speculative purchase of land must have upon any schemes for national reconstruction and development, whether he will give an assurance that a statement of Government policy with regard to town and country planning will be made at the earliest possible moment?
§ Mr. W. S. MorrisonI am aware that in some cases real property is being sold at prices above those current at the 31st March, 1939. The Government have already announced their acceptance in principle of the recommendation of the Uthwatt Committee that, in order to prevent post-war reconstruction from being prejudiced, the compensation payable in the public acquisition or control of land should not exceed the standard of values at that date. The detailed application of that principle is still under examination and I cannot say how soon it will be possible to make a further statement on the matter.
§ Mr. Bossomasked the Minister of Town and Country Planning whether he is aware that considerable land speculation is now taking place; and does he intend taking any action to halt such practices during the war?
§ Mr. MorrisonI would refer the hon. Member to the answer which I gave to-day to the Question by the hon. Member for East Aberdeen (Mr. Boothby) of which I am sending him a copy.