§ Mr. Oakesasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what representations he has received on the level of the compensation awarded to small shopkeepers on the compulsory acquisition of their livelihoods; what consideration he has given to those representations; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. K. RobinsonAs I told my hon. Friend on 27th November representations about compensation for small shopkeepers have been received from several sources, and are being studies as part of the Government's review of the compensation code.—[Vol. 774, c.144–5.]
§ Mr. Oakesasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government in how many cases during each of the last five years compensation has been paid to shopkeepers on weekly or other small tenancies by local authorities under the provisions of Section 37 of the Landlord and Tenant Act, 1954; what is the total amount of compensation involved in each of these years; and what was the average compensation paid to each tenant in each of those five years.
§ Mr. K. RobinsonThis information is not available; and its collection would involve disproportionate expense.
§ Mr. Oakesasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he will issue a circular to local authorities advising them on giving priority to small shopkeepers displaced by the compulsory acquisition of their properties when making lettings of other business tenancies in their ownership.
§ Mr. K. RobinsonThe planning bulletins on town centre redevelopment, 261W issued in 1962–63, emphasised the importance of making adequate provision for traders displaced by redevelopment schemes. I do not think that any further advice to local authorities is required.