asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he will now make a statement on the progress of his studies of the proposals for compensation for compulsory purchase submitted to him by the Chartered Lands Society; and on what date he received these proposals from the society.

I have nothing to add to the Answer which I gave in reply to a Question by the hon. Member on 14th October.—[Vol. 788, c. 46–7.]

I do not think that on that occasion the Minister gave the date on which he received the proposals. Is he aware that the House would be glad to know how long the Minister has been dragging his feet over this matter, to which many people are looking for alleviation of hardship?

I am sorry that the hon. Gentleman does not read the answers I give him, because I did give the date, which was 27th November, 1967. The House will understand that there were over 60 recommendations of the most detailed and complex character involving not only tremendous study within the Government but also discussions with the local associations. We are anxious to make as much progress as we can and we hope to achieve some degree of public utterance on this subject during next year.