§ 85. Mr. Hamilton Kerrasked the Minister of Health whether he is aware of the serious delays which arise in connection with the obtaining of approval from his Department for the purchase of property by regional hospital boards; that in connection with the proposed purchase of the Sheringham Hotel by the East Anglian Regional Hospital Board, whereas the owners were informed in 271W May, 1949, that a proposal to purchase had been approved by the Board, it was not until May, 1950, that his Department decided that the purchase could not be proceeded with; and whether, in view of the fact that these delays involve serious losses for the owners of the property concerned, he will take steps both to expedite the procedure and to arrange for suitable compensation to be given in those cases where it can be shown that excessive delay in negotiation has caused loss.
§ Mr. BevanThe unusual delay in this case was due to the need for finding out in some detail the relative cost to public funds of this proposal and of other alternatives. This was not known until March, and a decision was given in May. I regret any inconvenience caused, but cannot undertake to pay compensation.