§ 80. Mr. K. Robinsonasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs what recent representations he has received with regard to levies made upon householders under the Coast Protection Act, 1949; if he is aware that hardship is being experienced; how many appeals for remission have been made to him; and if he will make a statement.
§ 81. Mr. M. Stewartasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs whether he is 30W aware of the anxiety caused to residents in coastal areas by demands for payment of coast protection charges under the Coast Protection Act, 1949; and whether he will make a statement.
§ Mr. H. BrookeIn addition to a few general representations that I have received, fifty-four persons or bodies affected by recently completed coast protection schemes in four local authority areas have exercised their statutory right of appeal to me on the grounds that the amounts demanded from them are inequitable or unduly onerous. I shall examine these appeals with great care. Without prejudging what amount of contribution is reasonable, it does not seem to me wrong in principle to expect some contribution from owners whose properties have been increased in market value by reason of the protection given by the new works.
§ 85. Mr. K. Robinsonasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs how many schemes have been approved so far under the Coast Protection Act. 1949; in how many cases he has agreed to make a grant; and in respect of which schemes such grant has been made conditional upon the local authority levying charges on property-owners benefiting from the scheme.
§ Mr. H. BrookeThree hundred and twenty-five schemes have been approved in England and Wales; grants have so far been promised in respect of 215 of these and I am considering a further 21. The award of Exchequer grant has in no instance been made conditional upon the collection of coast protection charges.