§ Dr. Comynsasked the Minister of Town and Country Planning whether he is aware that when the War Damage Commission propose to allow Cost of Works Payments instead of Value Payments to the owner of a war-damaged property the rebuilding of which ought not to be allowed for the prevention of serious prejudice to a town planning scheme, either the property owner suffers loss or the local authority serious prejudice to the redevelopment or town planning control of its area; and whether, in view of the urgency of this problem, immediate amending legislation will be introduced to remove this difficulty.
§ Mr. DaltonI have been asked to reply. Under the combined operation of the War Damage Acts and the Town and Country Planning Act, 1944, the treatment accorded to the owner of a war damaged property in a reconstruction area where a value payment replaces a cost of works payment is substantially the same as that accorded to the owner of an undamaged104W property in such an area. It is difficult to justify better treatment for the former than the latter. Moreover, the programme of legislation for this Session is very heavy. But I am in consultation with my right hon. Friend on the whole matter.