§ Mr. Lomasasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he will introduce legislation giving him power to instruct local authorities on how the arrive at a fair price to compensate householders whose property is due for demolition under a compulsory purchase order.
§ Mr. MacDermotNo. Local authorities must pay compensation in accordance with statute. Any dispute is decided by the Lands Tribunal. It would not be right for a Minister to have power to tell authorities what to pay.
§ Mr. Lomasasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he will issue a circular to local authorities requesting them to shorten the time between compensation being agreed for a house due to be demolished under a compulsory purchase order and the actual payment, in view of the fact that this delay creates hardship for persons who have been given notice to quit their homes and have not the requisite money available to use as a deposit on another house.
§ Mr. MacDermotI am not aware of any general need for such a circular; 321W but if my hon. Friend would send me details of any case he has in mind I will examine them.