§ 3. Mr. Dormandasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he is satisfied with the clearance of derelict land in the northern region; and if he will make a statement.
§ The Under-Secretary of State for the Environment (Mr. Neil Macfarlane)I am satisfied that substantial and worthwhile progress has been made, though much remains to be done. The region's allocation for derelict land grant this year is £10 million, 54 per cent. up on last year's initial provision.
§ Mr. DormandIs the Minister aware that the region's share of the national allocation of the derelict land grant is only about half of what it was in the late 1970s? Is he further aware that that fall has taken place against a background of an increasing amount of derelict land in the region, some of which—not all—has been caused by the Government's policies? In view of that, will he urgently re-examine the figure of £ 10 million which he has just mentioned, which is completely inadequate for the needs of the north?
§ Mr. MacfarlaneWe shall always examine any grant-aid that we give, particularly in this important area. When the hon. Gentleman says that the northern region has not done well in recent years—that is the implication of his observations— it is fair to say that it was one of the 265 pioneering regions many years ago, and in the early years it received a great deal of money. Therefore, there is a good case for other regions to come up alongside and make bids. The hon. Gentleman says that there has not been much response from the Government, but the fact is that 18 schemes were submitted in the current year, of which nine were accepted. I should have thought that that was ample confirmation that we were devoted to the concept of urban renewal.
§ Mr. SpeakerMr. John Ward, to ask Question 4.
§ Dr. David Clarkrose—
§ Mr. SpeakerI apologise. I should have called an Opposition Front Bench spokesman.
§ Dr. HampsonOn a point of order, Mr. Speaker. I was the only member on the Conservative Benches seeking to catch your eye.
§ Mr. SpeakerOrder. I should have called an Opposition Front Bench spokesman.
§ Dr. ClarkDoes the Minister not appreciate that his inflexibility in administering derelict land grant causes great difficulties in regions such as the northern region, which has a growing number of problems in the form of derelict shipyards, steelworks and industrial sites? Could not the Minister make the system more flexible? Will he introduce a two-year or three-year rolling programme?
§ Mr. MacfarlaneIt is inaccurate to say that the Government are inflexible in administering the derelict land grant. The Government are completely flexible. I am well aware that in recent days the North of England County Councils Association has made several observations. We shall consider everything that it has to say to my Department.
§ Dr. HampsonIs my hon. Friend aware of the resentment, both in the northern region and in Yorkshire-Humberside, at the fact that there is only one regional director to carry out the Government's regional policies, and that he spends as much time commuting on trains between Leeds, Newcastle and London as he does at his desk? Will his right hon. Friend appoint separate regional directors for Leeds and Newcastle?
§ Mr. MacfarlaneI can give no assurance to my hon. Friend at this moment, but I take note of what he said.
§ Mr. DormandOn a point of order, Mr. Speaker. The hon. Member for Leeds, North-West (Dr. Hampson) called into question a ruling which you gave a few moments ago. The hon. Gentleman knows that this question is about the northern region. He neither speaks for nor represents a constituency in the northern region.
§ Mr. SpeakerWe got ourselves into a slight twist. It was my fault.