Compulsory Purchase Agreements (Hansard, 3 February 1998)

§ Mr. Jim Cunningham
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to introduce a code of practice for developers involved in compulsory purchase agreements, in respect of the interests of the seller. [26836]

§ Mr. Raynsford
The Interdepartmental Working Group on Blight, in presenting its Final Report, submitted a draft Code of Practice on the dissemination of information during the various stages of major infrastructure developments. It is the Group's belief that the uncertainty surrounding major projects, and the disruption to the local property market which may ensue for those whose property may be eventually be subject to compulsory acquisition, or which may be adversely affected by the development, can be significantly reduced if relevant and timely information is made available at all stages. Copies of the draft Code are available in the Library.
635W
Statute already provides protection for those whose property may be acquired by compulsion. In particular, the Acquisition of Land Act 1981 sets out the procedure for the making and confirming of compulsory purchase orders, and this includes a statutory right for the person whose property is threatened with compulsory acquisition to object to the Secretary of State and to have that objection heard at a public inquiry. Guidance issued by my Department (particularly DOE Circular 14/94) provides further advice aimed at ensuring that all statutory procedures are followed correctly.
Whether there is any need for clearer guidance will be considered in the light of responses to current consultation on the research findings on CPO procedures and on blight. However, I do not believe that any Code of Practice could offer further protection to the owner.

§ Mr. Jim Cunningham
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to review the present system of compulsory acquisition. [26835]

§ Mr. Raynsford
On 17 December 1997 my Department published for consultation two important reports. One is the Final Report of research conducted by the City University into the operation of the compulsory purchase order procedures, the other is the Final Report of the Interdepartmental Working Group on Blight. These are available in the Library. Together, they provide valuable evidence of the way the compulsory purchase arrangements work and identify elements of the system which are perceived by some to be inefficient, damaging to the wider public good or simply unfair.
The Government wish to see a compulsory purchase system that is efficient in its administration and fair in its operation. We will consider whether changes need to be made to existing arrangements, which have been in place for many years, in the light of responses to the consultation.