§ Mr. Stamfordasked the Minister of Health what action has been, or is being, taken to enable the Appleby Urban District Council and the Skipton Urban District Council to overcome the objection of Veteripont Estates, Limited, who disagree with the local councils over the proposed use of land adjacent to two old castles as housing sites; what prices have been offered by the councils for these sites; and what is the present rateable value of the land.
§ Mr. BevanIn the Skipton case only a small portion of a proposed housing site is involved, and this is not required for the next two years. No offer has yet been made: the land is agricultural and not rated. In the Appleby case, I assume that my hon. Friend is referring to a site purchased by Appleby Town Council from Veteripont Estates, Limited, for£850. The objection which has been raised to building relates only to a small fraction of the site and this will not delay the housing scheme. The land is not rated. In neither case does any special action on my part seem to be necessary.