§ Mr. Maxwell-Hyslopasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when his Department will pay to Weeks Brothers the compensation agreed between his chief surveyor and Messrs. Drew Gibbons and Pearce acting on the claimants' behalf on 17th March in respect of Haldon Camp; whether interest will be payable on this sum in respect of the five years that have elapsed since the compensation became due; why his chief surveyor has failed to notify the claimants or their representatives of the line of easement for effluent required and the title to be abstracted despite the lapse of more than eight weeks since agreement was reached between the parties; what is the cause of this delay; when his Department will supply this information; what action he will take to bring his chief surveyor's department up to an acceptable standard of professional competence; and why five years have elapsed in this matter before agreement was reached.
§ Mr. Merlyn ReesThe meeting held in Exeter on 17th March was an attempt by representatives of both parties to reach an understanding on the terms which might be acceptable to their principals. On 10th April the Home Office was sent a letter indicating that the suggested terms were only acceptable to Weeks Brothers subject to several additional conditions not raised at the meeting. These are now being considered. My noble Friend the Minister of State is writing to the hon. Member on this and the other points he has raised in connection with this complex issue.