HC Deb 11 June 1980 vol 986 cc239-40W
Mr. Dobson

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what are the reasons why his Department has confined only to agricultural land the principles established by the Crichel Down case on the disposal of land acquired by or under threat of compulsory purchase which is no longer required for the purpose for which it was bought.

Mr. Heseltine

The general rule for the disposal of surplus Government land is that it should be sold on the market. In 1954 the Government decided that in certain circumstances agricultural land acquired for Government purposes should, when no longer required for these purposes, be offered back to the previous owner. This exception to the rule has been sustained by successive Administrations. However, the procedures are now under general review.