Post-War Development

56.

Mr. Bossom
asked the Minister of Town and Country Planning whether the pre-war regulations as to the number of houses to the acre will continue to apply in post-war housing development schemes?

The Minister of Town and Country Planning (Mr. W. S. Morrison)
There were no statutory regulations before the war governing the number of houses to the acre. The provisions to be made by a planning scheme must depend on the circumstances and requirements of the particular locality.

Mr. Bossom
Could my right hon. Friend look into this and make recommendations so that the recommendations  and suggestions of the Ministry of Health can be scientifically considered? It is not quite satisfactory at the present time.

Mr. Sorensen
Is it not true that large numbers of local authorities did establish a rule that not more than so many houses to the acre could be built?

Mr. Morrison
There were provisions to that effect in town-planning schemes, and they will be continued.

Mr. Stokes
Would not this problem solve itself if the Minister had the good sense to introduce a thorough-going tax on site values?

Mr. Morrison
That is another matter.