§ Mr. Chichester-Clarkasked the Secretary of State for the Environment on how many occasions in the last 12 months he has indicated to public authorities that he will not be prepared to agree to the use of powers of compulsory acquisition and that the authority should proceed to acquire by negotiation; and whether he will make a statement on his policy in this regard.
§ Mr. AmeryThe information asked for in the first part of my right hon. Friend's question is not readily available. But in general, public authorities are aware that the use of compulsory powers of acquisition will be authorised only when there is overriding justification for it.