§ 42. Mr. A. Evansasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs if he will speed up the procedure for compulsory purchase under the Housing Acts in cases where eviction is threatened.
Dr. HillCompulsory purchase orders made where the Council considers that the landlord is demanding an exhorbitant rent are dealt with as quickly as possible. But often I am asked to suspend action while the parties negotiate.
§ 43. Mr. A. Evansasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs if he will state the number of compulsory purchase orders made under the Housing Acts and submitted to him during the past twelve months by Metropolitan borough councils, the number of these orders he authorised, and the average time which elapsed between the making of an order and its authorisation.
Dr. HillEighty-nine in the twelve months ending 30th November, 1961. So far 37 of these have been confirmed and 15 withdrawn or rejected. The average time between submission and decision has been four months.