New clause 21 - Confirmation by acquiring authority
Planning and Compulsory Purchase (Re-committed) Bill
10:30 am
Mr Geoffrey Clifton-Brown (Cotswold, Conservative)
My hon. Friend may not be aware of them—they may be so secret that they do not exist. We have, of course, discussed that already.
Seriously, though, we welcome new clause 21, but I should like to ask the Minister one question. The new clause is, in a sense, making it easier for an acquiring authority to operate a compulsory purchase order. We must be careful where people's interests are being compulsorily acquired. Although that is a serious matter, we have not touched on the principles of compulsory purchase this morning. Where we are making it easier, we should build appropriate safeguards into the legislation that we are making. I am concerned that subsection (4) says:
''An objection is made by any person (whether or not a person mentioned in section 12(2)), including an objection which is disregarded.''
I accepted the explanation when we discussed it in a different context under 12(2), but where we are making it easier for an acquiring authority to operate, and if there is any objection, the acquiring authority should not have the power—it should go to a confirming authority. Perhaps the Minister will consider that carefully. I am a little bit concerned about that subsection.