§ Mr. Parkerasked the Minister of Health why the Sheerness Council has had to seek compulsory powers to acquire land adjoining their boundary beyond the canal cutting for zoning and developing as an open space and playing field; what is the area of the land it is proposed to acquire; what is its present rateable assessment; what price has been offered or demanded; and whether the district valuer has reported on the value or if an arbitration award has been made.
§ Mr. WillinkI understand that the Council have approved in principle a proposal to acquire land outside their district for the purpose mentioned but that they1104W have not yet decided which land they desire to acquire and have not therefore reached the stage of proceeding either compulsorily or otherwise. For the same reason the other parts of the Question do not arise.
§ Mr. Leslieasked the Minister of Health the result of his inspector's inquiry into the application of the Stockton Corporation for power to buy compulsorily the 128 acres of land between Durham Road and Darlington Lane for housing purposes; what is the present value of the land and, if purchase has now taken place, what price has been paid.
§ Mr. WillinkThe compulsory purchase order was confirmed on 3rd January, 1945, in respect of 41.495 acres, the remainder of the land being excluded from the order. Purchase of the land covered by the order is not yet completed.
§ Mr. Parkerasked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that the Strood, Kent, Rural District Council has arranged to purchase housing sites at Cobham from the War Department and at Cooling and Casiton from the Ecclesiastical Commissioners; and what is the area, the purchase price and the previous rateable value in each instance.
§ Mr. WillinkNo, Sir. I am informed that the Strood (Kent) Rural District Council are negotiating for the acquisition of a site at Cooling in the ownership of the War Department.
§ Mr. Stokesasked the Minister of Health what is the price the L.C.C. has paid or has proposed to pay for the following housing sites: 56 acres in Christchurch Road and Upper Tulse Hill, Lambeth and Wandsworth; 5 acres in Barrow Hill Road and Huntsworth Terrace, St. Marylebone; and 3¾ acres adjoining the Council's Barnfield Gardens Housing Estate; and what was the aggregate rateable value of each of these areas in 1939.
§ Mr. WillinkNo prices have yet been negotiated. It is not possible, without much research, to ascertain the 1939 rateable values, but the present figures for the lands in question are £10,500, £1,275, £920 and £145 respectively.
§ Mr. Stokesasked the Minister of Health if he has approved the acquisition by Southampton Corporation of about 51 acres for housing purposes at Tanners 1105W Brook and Redbridge Hill; whether purchase has been negotiated or effected under compulsory powers and at what price; and if he will state the rateable value at which this land has been assessed.
§ Mr. WillinkYes, Sir. Compulsory purchase confirming orders for the two sites in question were made on 23rd April, 1945, but purchase has not yet been effected. The rateable values, excluding certain derated parcels of land, are £145 and £198, respectively.