Backbench Business Committee

Representations: Backbench Business

Tuesday 23 July 2019

Ordered by the House of Commons to be published on 23 July 2019.

Watch the meeting

Members present: Ian Mearns (Chair); Bob Blackman; Patricia Gibson; Nigel Mills.

Questions 1-6

Representations made

I: Helen Hayes.

Helen Hayes made representations.

Q1                Chair: Good afternoon. Welcome to the Backbench Business Committee. We have one application in front of us this afternoon. It is from Helen Hayes who wants to debate capturing land value for the public benefit. Helen, over to you, please.

Helen Hayes: Thank you very much, Chair, and thank you for considering my application this afternoon. It is an application for a Backbench Business debate on land value capture.

You will be aware that the Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee recently produced a report on land value capture, which made a series of recommendations to Government. There was a Select Committee statement on the report at the time, but the report has not been debated in full in Parliament. In addition, the Letwin review, commissioned by the Government, made recommendations relating to land value capture and, similarly, Members have not had the opportunity to respond to them in a debate.

There is widespread cross-party interest in the matter. The Labour party recently published a consultation document, also setting out proposals related to reform around land values. The debate will be an opportunity for Members with an interest to speak about the subject. As a topic, it is fundamental to the delivery of new housing to address our housing crisis in the country. Although quite a technical topic, it potentially plays a really significant role in our ability to deliver new housing.

Q2                Chair: Is the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government the answering Department?

Helen Hayes: Yes.

Q3                Bob Blackman: There is only one obvious question. The Select Committee has the opportunity of asking for a debate on the report. Have you spoken to the Chairman to see whether he would consider applying for such a debate? That does not take anything away from your application, but, obviously, it would then be in the hands of a Select Committee—the Liaison Committee.

Helen Hayes: I have not raised this with the Chair of the Select Committee. The proposal for this debate came through the all-party group on land value capture, which demonstrates that there is a broad interest in the matter. The piece of work that the Select Committee did is really significant—it is probably the most authoritative thing that has been done. There is also broader interest in the Letwin review and from outside Parliament as well.

Q4                Chair: You have ticked 90 minutes or three hours and say that you will take Westminster Hall if it were available.

Helen Hayes: Yes.

Q5                Chair: Is there any time sensitivity here? Do you want this debate to be held in advance of any proposed Government reports that might be coming out?

Helen Hayes: No.

Q6                Chair: Do you want the debate in September or after the conference recess if that happens?

Helen Hayes: After conference recess might be preferable, because, in terms of getting a good attendance at this debate, that fortnight in September is quite a frenetic time for people.

Chair: Helen, thank you very much indeed. Your contribution is much appreciated. That concludes our public deliberations.