Where a local authority have demolished a building in exercise of the powers conferred on them by section 123 and the expenses thereby incurred by them cannot be recovered by reason of the fact that the owner of the building cannot be found, the authority may be authorised by the Secretary of State to purchase compulsorily the site of the building, including the area of any yard, garden or pertinent belonging to the building or usually enjoyed therewith.

The provisions of the M1Acquisition of Land (Authorisation Procedure) (Scotland) Act 1947 shall apply in relation to a compulsory purchase of land under subsection (1) as if that subsection had been in force immediately before the commencement of that Act.

A local authority shall be entitled to deduct from the compensation payable on the compulsory purchase of the site of a building under this section the amount of the expenses referred to in subsection (1) so far as not otherwise recovered.

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