§ Dr. John Dunwoodyasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he is aware that the provision for postponing payment of betterment levy chargeable on the building of agricultural dwellings is giving rise to difficulty; and what steps he proposes to take.
§ Mr. K. RobinsonYes. The Land Commission postpone collection of levy on the erection of agricultural dwellings until the agricultural use ceases. Security is called for on the postponed levy under s. 52 of the Land Commission Act. This causes difficulty where the dwelling is sold and the agricultural use is brought to an end by the new owner. I have therefore decided that the erection of genuine agricultural dwellings should be exempted from betterment levy and with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland I propose to arrange submission to Parliament of an Order to this effect under s. 63 of the Land Commission Act as soon as possible after the Recess.