asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that the obligation to hold an inquiry under the Town and Country Planning Act in cases where land is to be sold for development can be avoided by arranging to lease land for long periods; if this applies to the proposal to acquire land to build a new factory at Abingdon; and whether he will exercise his powers to deal with this case in the public interest?

There is no obligation to hold a local inquiry into proposals for the sale of land. The town council can lease the land in question without the consent of my right hon. Friend. They have, however, applied for consent to the sale, and a public local inquiry will be held on the 10th instant.