§ Mr. Gryllsasked the Minister of Transport if he has considered the first report from the Select Committee on the Parliamentary Commissioner for Administration, Session 1978–79, on the Land Compensation Act 1973; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Rookerasked the Secretary of State for Transport if he can now make a statement on Her Majesty's Government's response to the first report of the Select Committee on the Parliamentary Commissioner for Administration in respect of 81W late claims for compensation under part I of the Land Compensation Act 1973.
§ Mr. FowlerI have accepted the Committee's finding that in relation to certain road schemes my Department failed to give adequate publicity to the opportunity to make claims under part I of the Land Compensation Act 1973.
The Committee recommended that we should remedy the injustice caused to the complainants who consequently made late claims, either by extra statutory payment or by amending the Land Compensation Act 1973 so as to enable these claims to be considered. The Government believe that it would not be right to override by administrative action the time limits laid down by Parliament. We therefore propose to introduce legislation as soon as possible which would enable the Minister of Transport to make payments to people who failed to submit part I claims within the limit specified in the Act but who would otherwise have been eligible for compensation for the effect of a trunk road scheme on their property, in cases where, in his view, the publicity was inadequate.
At the same time we propose to amend part I of the Act to remove the time limit for making claims for compensation for depreciation in the value of property caused by the use of public works; this will apply to any claim period ending on or after the date of coming into force of the new enactment.
My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland and my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales will be making similar arrangements for Scotland and Wales respectively.