§ Mr. John Grantasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the average time which local authorities seeking decisions from him on compulsory purchase orders have had to wait during 1971, 1972 and 1973, respectively.
§ Mr. EyreComplete figures are not yet available, but estimated national average times (in months) are as follows:
Compulsory purchase orders made under the Housing Acts 1957–1969 and submitted during 1971 1972 1973 (to date) Unopposed orders 3 3 3 Opposed orders 8 10 12 Additional staff are being recruited and I hope that the position will soon improve.
§ Mr. John Grantasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what representations he has received from the London borough of Islington about the time taken by him in making decisions on compulsory purchase orders.
§ Mr. EyreThe council has recently expressed concern at the time taken to decide a slum clearance compulsory purchase order made by the Greater London Council in Islington which has been the subject of negotiations between the parties since the public inquiry, and on which it is hoped to issue a decision shortly. Representations of a more general character have also been received from time to time. Every effort is being made by the Department to speed up both the administrative procedures and the holding of public inquiries into compulsory purchase orders.