HC Deb 01 November 1966 vol 735 c44W
42. Mr. Hattersley

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what advice he has given to local authorities which have made known their long-term redevelopment proposals before the areas involved have been officially designated, thus inhibiting the sale of property without allowing the usual opportunities for compensation.

Mr. MacColl

In 1959 local authorities were advised that if they were asked to buy properties in cases which fell outside the statutory blight notice provisions, they should exercise a reasonable discretion to buy land in advance of requirements, so long as they were satisfied that the property was blighted as a result of a proposal for acquisition by them and that there was genuine hardship.