§ 7. Mr. Rossiasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government by how much he estimates acquisition by the Land Commission of building land in areas of high demand will reduce its price during 1969 and 1970; and whether he will make a statement.
§ Mr. SkeffingtonThis cannot be estimated, but as the Commission brings more land on to the market it will help to stabilise land prices.
§ 33. Mr. Evelyn Kingasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government to what date and upon what terms the tenure of office of the Chairman of the Land Commission has been extended.
§ Mr. GreenwoodSir Henry Wells has said that personal commitments would make it difficult for him to continue as chairman for long beyond the expiry of his appointment. With regret, and with Sir Henry's full understanding I have decided against a further period of appointment beyond February.
§ Mr. van Straubenzeeasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government by how many persons within the last year the staff of the Southern Regional Office of the Land Commission at Reading has been reduced; and what further reductions are envisaged in the light of the First, Second and Third Reports from the Committee of Public Accounts, Session 1968–69.
§ Mr. Skeffington18, equivalent to a 20 per cent, reduction. The review of staffing is continuing, but it is too early to estimate the precise effect on individual offices.
§ Mr. van Straubenzeeasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government whether, in the light of the First, Second and Third Reports from the Committee of Public Accounts, Session 1968–69, he will reduce the size of the Land Commission by dispensing with the services of Lord Mais.
§ Mr. GreenwoodThe reports of the Public Accounts Committee contain no46W reference to the membership of the Land Commission. As announced on 9th September, Lord Mais, in accordance with an arrangement made some months ago, has resigned from the Commission on his election as Sheriff for the City of London, and Mr. Maurice Hackett, O.B.E., has been appointed to fill the vacancy. I am glad to have this opportunity of expressing the thanks of the Government to Lord Mais for his valuable services as a member of the Commission.
§ Mr. van Straubenzeeasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government for what period Sir Harold Samuel was originally appointed to serve as a member of the Land Commission.
§ Mr. SkeffingtonThree years from 15th February, 1967.
§ Mr. Boyd-Carpenterasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government how much land in the Greater London area has been made available for housebuilding by the Land Commission since its inception; and how much of such land the Commission expects to make available in the coming year.
§ Mr. SkeffingtonVery little land is available for development in Greater London, but the Commission has bought 188 acres at Hornchurch, a small area of which is under negotiation for sale to a housebuilder. The remainder will be sold after the extraction of gravel. A further area is likely to be bought and sold in the coming year.