§ Mr. Viantasked the Minister of Health whether a proposal by the Buckingham County Council to purchase the 1,071 acres of Langley Park and Black Park for the sum of £109,000 or other figure has now been approved; what was the previous rateable value of the land with buildings thereon; how many councils are concerned in this purchase; and how much each is contributing towards the total cost.
§ Mr. BevanThis purchase for the sum stated—which includes costs—has been approved. The previous rateable value of that part of the land with buildings thereon was £1,222. The four local authorities concerned, and their respective contributions towards the total cost, are: Buckingham County Council, £49,235; London County Council, £38,373; Slough Borough Council, £10,826; and Eton Rural District Council, £10,826.
§ Mr. Footasked the Minister of Health whether he can now state the price paid by the Torquay Corporation for land at Barton and Watcombe acquired under the Compulsory Purchase Order, 1934; what is the total area involved; and what part of this area is agricultural and therefore derated.
§ Mr. BevanNo, Sir. The price has not yet been determined. The total area involved is 34½ acres, of which 33 are agricultural.
68W
§ Mr. Collinsasked the Minister of Health whether he has approved the acquisition by the Clevedon Urban District Council, for housing purposes, of 7.297 acres of land adjoining Old Park Road, at a price of £12,500; how much of the price included compensation for injurious affection; and if he will state the value at which the land was assessed for rating purposes.
§ Mr. BevanNo, Sir. The Urban District Council decided against the acquisition of this site, which was offered to them at a price of £12,500 including £8,500 as compensation for injurious affection. The land is agricultural and therefore derated.
§ Mr. Collinsasked the Minister of Health if he has yet sanctioned a Compulsory Purchase Order for the acquisition by the Bath City Council of 10.546 acres of land at Poolemeade, Twerton, for housing purposes; if arbitration has taken place; what price has been awarded and what was the previous rateable value.
§ Mr. BevanI have now confirmed a Compulsory Purchase Order in respect of 5.5 acres of land at Poolemeade, Tiverton, out of an order for 10.546 acres submitted to me by the Bath City Council. Arbitration has not taken place. The rateable value of the total 10.546 acres is £155.
§ Captain Cecil Pooleasked the Minister of Health if the Birmingham City Council have yet applied for a compulsory purchase order for the acquisition of the freehold interest in an area of approximately 179 acres of land situate between Bradford Road and the river Colne at Shard End, from the Earl of Bradford, for housing purposes; why the negotiations have so far proved abortive: and what is the present rateable value of this land.
§ Mr. BevanNo application has yet been submitted to me by the Birmingham City Council for confirmation of a Compulsory Purchase Order, but I understand that the owners of the land are unwilling to sell. With the exception of 23 small dwellings the land is agricultural and is derated.
§ Captain Cecil Pooleasked the Minister of Health if he has approved the acquisition by the Birmingham City Council of 236.157 acres of freehold land, bounded by Garretts Green Lane, Sheldon Heath Road, the Radleys and the L.M.S. Rail- 69W way, from the executors of the late Mr. Douglas James, for the sum of £100,397, equal to £425 per acre, a contribution to the surveyor's fees of £721 7s. and proper legal costs; and if he will state the previous value at which this land was assessed for rating purposes.
§ Mrs. Middletonasked the Minister of Health whether the Wareham and Purbeck Rural District Council has yet succeeded in acquiring housing sites in the villages of Chaldon Herring, Corfe Castle, Maltravers, Morden and Winfrid, for the building of altogether 104 houses; and whether he can state the area, the price paid, and the previous rateable value in each case.
Mr. Braddockasked the Minister of Health what award the official arbitrator has given for the three acres of land near Roundstone Lane, Sompting, compulsorily acquired by the Worthing Rural District Council for the purposes of a cemetery; and if he can supply the figure at which this land was assessed for local rating previous to acquisition.
§ Mr. BevanFor the area of 3.67 acres in question the official arbitrator awarded the sum of £655, less £26 5s. costs. The land was previously agricultural and had therefore no rateable value.
Mr. Braddockasked the Minister of Health if he will investigate why the Worthing Rural District Council referred back a recommendation of the Public Health Committee to acquire for housing purposes 3⅓ acres of land at Sompting at a cost of £2,750; whether renewed steps have been taken to acquire this land; what price has been agreed; and what is the rateable value.
§ Mr. BevanI am informed that the recommendation to acquire this site for housing at a cost of £2,750 was referred back to the Public Health Committee because the price was considered too high. On reconsideration the Council have decided to recommend the acquisition and I have now received their application for approval to purchase at a cost of £2,750. The land is derated.
§ Lieutenant Skeffington-Lodgeasked the Minister of Health what price the Sandy 70W Urban District Council have offered for eight acres of arable land south of Cambridge Road for housing purposes; whether a compulsory purchase order has been made; whether arbitration has taken place; what award has been given; and what was the rateable value of this land.
§ Mr. BevanNo offer of price was made by the council. A Compulsory Purchase Order has been made and confirmed, but arbitration has not yet taken place. The land is derated.