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48
54- This is a Government measure, and proposes to make
Part III. of the Housing of the Working Classes
Act, 1890, compulsory, deals with the compulsory
acquisition of land under Part III. of the Act of 1890, proposes to
authorize the Public Works Loan Commissioners to advance
loans for the purposes of the Act, to authorize Local Authorities
to lay out streets, to authorize the Local Government Board to
enforce the execution of the Housing of the Working Classes Acts
by Local Authorities, and to abolish the necessity of orders of such
Board for the compulsory purchase of land being confirmed by
Parliament, to authorize such Board to make inspection and
enquiries as to the condition of any area, to amend the procedure
for closing and demolition orders, to double the rateable value of
premises to which Section 75 of the Act of 1890 applies, and to
authorize the Local Government Board to require from Local
Authorities reports as to any area and to determine whether the
Housing Acts should be put in force in such area. The clauses
relating to- town planning provide that Local Authorities may,
if authorized by the Local Government Board, prepare schemes
with respect to land likely to be used for building purposes, and
remove buildings which are not in accordance with the scheme;
and that the Local Government Board may order a scheme to be
made or carried out in default of the Local Authority.
Housing, Town
Planning, &c.
55. The Council presented a petition against the Bill, objecting
to, among other provisions, those relating to the making of
Part III. of the Act of 1890 compulsory, the alteration of the procedure
for closing and demolition orders, to the proposed enquiries,
the extension of the rateable value for the purpose of Section 75 of
the Act of 1890; suggesting that any further legislation dealing
with the Housing of the Working Classes Act should be by consolidating
and amending the existing law into one Act of Parliament,
and stating that whilst in favour of further powers being
given to Local Authorities with regard to the width, direction, and
levels of streets and other matters in connection with the laying
out of land for building purposes, the Council was of opinion that
the Town Planning provisions of the Bill would unduly interfere
with private rights and would not effect an improvement at all
commensurate with the public expenditure which would be
involved.