§ 106. Mr. Cuthbertasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he is now in a position to make a statement with reference to the cancellation of the development charge on small building plots, which is acting as a deterrent on the public who wish to build on these small sites.
Mr. MacmillanOn the question whether the system of development charges should be modified or altered I am unable to add to the reply I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Peterborough (Mr. Nicholls) on 7th December. Meanwhile, there are many cases in which the charge need be no deterrent to the building of houses by private persons. I am writing to my hon. Friend about these.
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§ 119. Mr. Nieldasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government the total amount paid by landowners in respect of development charge since the coming into operation of the relevant provisions of the Town and Country Planning Act, 1947; and also the total amount so far agreed as being payable in due course out of the pool of £300 million.
Mr. MacmillanThe total amount received by the Central Land Board in respect of development charge from 1st July, 1948, to 31st December, 1951, is £8,615,000. In addition, liabilities in respect of development charge amounting to £4,867,000 have been set off against claims on the £300 million. Until Parliament has approved the scheme to be made by the Treasury under the Town and Country Planning Act for the distribution of this sum it is not possible to say what amount is payable in respect of any particular claim or class of claims.
§ 121. Mr. Grimondasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government whether he is now in a position to amend the Town and Country Planning Act so as to relieve building in rural areas from development charges.
Mr. MacmillanSo long as a house is built for and occupied by an agricultural worker development charge is not levied. As to amendment of the Act, I am unable to add to the reply I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Peterborough (Mr. Nicholls) on 7th December.