HC Deb 09 July 1959 vol 608 cc1558-9
41. Mr. Jay

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many schemes for the clearance of derelict sites under Section 5 of the Distribution of Industry Act, 1945, whether by his Department or by grant, have now been approved this year; and what is the total cost of such schemes.

Sir D. Eccles

Two, Sir. Grants to the local authorities in these cases are estimated at £20,500, representing 75 per cent. of the cost of clearance. Many more are under consideration and I am doing my best to reach decisions on them as soon as possible.

Mr. Jay

As we were promised in March that this Section would be reactivated in a vigorous way, can the President of the Board of Trade assure us that some of the further schemes under consideration will be approved fairly soon?

Sir D. Eccles

I hope so. There are 82 under discussion and 42 have actually reached headquarters.