HC Deb 06 August 1912 vol 41 cc2957-8W
Lord HENRY CAVENDISH - BENTINCK

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether his attention has been drawn to the efforts of the rural district council at Dursley to acquire a site for a housing scheme; and, seeing that half the land required has been offered by Mrs. Poole at a reasonable price, but that the Bristol Corporation, who own the other portion, have put on their land a price which the rural district council consider unreasonably high, will he say what action he will take?

Mr. BURNS

My attention has been drawn by the Rural District Council of Dursley to this matter, and, with a view to assisting the council, I recently sent one of my inspectors to confer with them. As the Noble Lord is aware, it is not competent to the council to acquire the land of the Bristol Corporation compulsorily under the First Schedule to the Housing, Town Planning etc., Act, 1909. The Board are advised that the greater part of Mrs. Poole's land could be utilised without acquiring the lands of the Bristol Corporation, but it may be preferable to acquire a different site which would be of sufficient extent to accommodate all the houses which it would be desirable for the council to provide.

Lord HENRY CAVENDISH - BENTINCK

also asked the President of the Local Government Board whether he is aware that at a recent meeting of the Oakhampton Rural District Council, when a letter was read from the Rural District Councils Association stating that they were collecting information on the housing question for the Local Government Board, it was stated that Chagford thirty years ago was an industrial centre, now it was simply a town for visitors, the consequence was that working men had been dispossessed and were now crowded together; and, in view of these facts, what powers do the Local Government Board possess to remedy this state of things?

Mr. BURNS

I have not seen the report of the meeting referred to, but I have had some correspondence with the rural district council, who recognise that there is a necessity for better housing accommodation at Chagford, and I have no reason to doubt that they will do what is necessary to secure the provision of that accommodation.