Disposal Notification Areas

Part of Clause 25 – in the House of Commons at 12:00 am on 14 October 1975.

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Photo of Mr William Benyon Mr William Benyon , Buckingham 12:00, 14 October 1975

I wish to add one small point to the remarks of my right hon. and hon. Friends. When the Minister dealt with this matter in Committee, he was at pains to point out that he was being fairer to the owner-occupier by introducing the disposal notification area provision rather than that the local authority should acquire property in an area surreptitiously.

Since then, bodies outside this House have been able to give far greater consideration to this matter than was possible when we discussed it in Committee. My right hon. and hon. Friends have mentioned already the powerful paper issued by Justice. The provision has also been criticised strongly in other quarters.

I believe it is right that the Minister should look again at his proposal for disposal notification areas. It has aroused tremendous opposition outside this House. In our view, it is the most objectionable part of the Bill.