§ Mr. W. Robertsasked the Minister of Health whether housing associations, as defined by the Housing Act, 1936, will 2181W have the same facilities as local authorities for acquiring land for their housing programmes; and whether they will be given the same rights as conferred on local authorities to join groups for the carrying out of site preparation for housing as outlined in Ministry of Health circular 14/44.
§ Mr. WillinkHousing Associations are free to buy land by agreement at any time and, subject to planning requirements, there are no restrictions as to the amount of land they may acquire. Where it is necessary to buy by compulsion, the local authority has power to acquire the land required compulsorily and resell it to the Association. If the local authority is unwilling to do this, the powers may, on the application of the Association, be exercised by the County Council. Sites owned by Housing Associations may, by arrangement with the local authorities for the areas in which they are situated, be included in the scheme for the advance preparation of housing sites and in at least one case arrangements have already been made for this to be done.