§ 72. Mr. Parkinasked the Minister of Health if he is aware of the dismay caused by his failure to confirm a compulsory purchase order made by the Gloucestershire County Council to acquire a playing field for the parish of Uley; and if he can offer any advice and help to the parish council and to nearby local authorities which, as a consequence of this decision, are finding difficulty in speedily acquiring land for housing sites.
§ Mr. BevanI regret that I was unable, on the merits, to confirm this order. There is a need for a playing field at Uley and the parish council would be well advised, before preparing fresh proposals, to seek advice on the scope of their scheme from the Ministry of Education, from whom they hope for an Exchequer grant. If local authorities are unable to purchase land by agreement for housing and other essential purposes, they should not hesitate to invoke their powers of compulsory acquisition.