HL Deb 26 July 1979 vol 401 c2145WA
Lord O'HAGAN

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they will list all bodies with powers of compulsory purchase; and whether they plan to reduce the number.

Lord BELLWIN

Certain Government departments, local authorities, statutory undertakers and other bodies have powers to acquire land for the purpose of carrying out their statutory functions. To check and list every one of these bodies would involve disproportionate effort and cost. The Government have no plans to reduce the number of bodies with compulsory powers so long as their functions continue to be needed.