§ Mr. THOMAS RICHARDSONasked the President of the Local Government 2314W Board whether he has received a communication from the Easington Rural District Council drawing attention to the prices being quoted by various landowners within their area for land for the erection of houses, and suggesting that local authorities should be empowered to purchase land for housing and other improvement schemes at a fair value; and whether, in view of the prices mentioned by the district council, he is prepared to introduce legislation for the purpose suggested?
§ Mr. S. WALSHThe Local Government Board have received the communication referred to. As the hon. Member is aware, a Committee appointed by the Minister of Reconstruction is considering the questions involved in the acquisition and valuation of land required for public purposes. When the Report of that Committee on the subject of valuation has been received the question of any alteration of the law will be considered, but, meanwhile, I may refer to the special powers already available for the acquisition by local authorities of land for housing purposes, as contained in the First Schedule to the Housing, Town Planning, etc., Act, 1909, which can readily be put in force.