19. Mr. N. Smithasked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that, since 8th May last, Nottingham Corporation has been trying to secure confirmation of a compulsory purchase order in respect of 440 acres of land at Billborough needed for housing; that for two months his Department failed to reply and then referred the corporation to another Ministry; that the corporation now has to deal with five Government Departments on housing matters instead of one, each requiring a repetition of detailed information already supplied to other Ministries; that the corporation's housing plans are being held up; and what steps he proposes to take.
§ Mr. BevanI am aware of this case and I propose to ensure that the action still to be taken is taken as quickly as possible. I would, however, point out that arrangements have existed since 1944 whereby the Regional Planning Officer clears the interests of all Government Departments concerned; if the local authority had submitted the proposals to the Regional Planning Officer at the outset much of the delay would have been avoided.