Mr. W. Joseph Stewartasked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that there is concern among local authorities in this country in regard to the Ministry of Health Circular No. 2778, dated 4th March, 1943, which restricts the acquisition of land for post-war building purposes to that required for the carrying out of a one-year programme; and whether he will allow local authorities the right to acquire land for any longer period than they consider necessary?
§ Mr. E. BrownBut for this circular the purchase of land by local authorities for post-war housing would not have been possible. The circular enables local authorities to get into a position from which they can make an immediate start on a limited building programme as soon as conditions permit, without waiting for the settlement of the wide general questions concerning planning, land values, and the location of industry, which are now under consideration by the Government. The acquisition of sites for long-term programmes cannot, I think, be generally undertaken before the announcement of the Government's policy on these points, without risk of prejudicing future planning.