§ Mr. Dickensasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will examine the position of owners of one or two houses of low value, who are adversely affected by the provisions of the Housing Acts when their properties are compulsorily purchased by local authorities for development, and where the interpretation given to the terms "unfit for human habitation" and the criteria under which home loss and disturbance payments and a well-maintained payment under section 60 of the 1957 Act are determined, often results in very small sums being given on the basis of site value for a property which, if owner-occupied, would be valued at a very significantly higher sum.
§ Sir George YoungI have looked at the provisions covering the position of non-occupying owners of statutorily unfit houses compulsorily acquired for slum clearance and I am satisfied for the site value rule to continue for the present. I am considering whether it is possible to increase payments for good maintenance. The hon. Member has written to me about a specific case on which I will reply to him as soon as possible.
Home loss and disturbance payments are entirely separate from the amount paid for compensation. They are intended to compensate for the loss and upheaval of moving from home and the local community and are not payable to owners who do not occupy the property concerned.