Written question asked by Andrew Dismore (Labour) on Thursday, 11 November 2004, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 15 November 2004. It was answered by Keith Hill (Labour) on Monday, 15 November 2004 on behalf of the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister.

Office of the Deputy Prime Minister

Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, if he will make a statement on the liability of High Sheriffs in the case of improper enforcement of compulsory purchase orders.

Answer: Mr. Dismore: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will make a statement on the liability of High Sheriffs in the case of improper enforcement of compulsory purchase orders. [198135] Keith Hill: I have been asked to reply. Where the owner or occupier of land which an authority has been authorised to acquire under the terms of a compulsory purchase order refuses to give up possession of it, the authority may issue a warrant to the Sheriff who is then authorised to take possession of the land using sufficient force to enable this to be achieved. The Sheriff is also responsible for settling the costs accruing as a result of the issuing and execution of the warrant. These powers are provided in section 13 of the Compulsory Purchase Act 1965, with similar powers in section 91 of the Lands Consolidation Act 1845 for compulsory purchase orders to which the provisions of that Act apply.

Secondary information