Commander Maitland:

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he will give an assurance that full compensation will be paid in regard to houses on the northern parts of Chapel Six Marshes, Chapel St. Leonards, Lincolnshire, now ordered to be demolished; and if he is aware that these houses received planning consent before the floods.

These orders have been made under Section 26 of the Town and Country Planning Act, 1947, which deals with cases, such as this, where it is proposed to demolish buildings which had been erected with planning permission. They have beef) submitted to my right hon. Friend; and have no effect unless he confirms them. Before considernig whether he should do so he will arrange for a local inquiry or hearing, if any persons affected object to confirmation; and he will consider very carefully any representations which may be made. If the orders are confirmed, the compensation payable is settled by the statute. There is provision for reference to the Lands Tribunal of any dispute about the amount of compensation.