§ 25. Mr. Boydenasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs if he is aware of the growing concern of many local authorities at the scarcity and price of land; and what new steps he is contemplating to deal with this problem.
§ Mr. H. BrookeA circular, No. 37/60, was sent to all local authorities on 25th August advising them of the practical action they can take. I am sending the hon. Member a copy.
§ Mr. BoydenIs not the Minister aware that after that date the executive committee of the Association of Municipal Corporations wanted to discuss this particular question with him? Has he no conscience about the "twilight" inner-ring areas that are being neglected whereas other development on a commercial basis is taking place in a piecemeal manner to the neglect of the best interests of the community?
§ Mr. BrookeI think that the hon. Gentleman is criticising the planning authorities, but this is also a subject mentioned in the Amendment to the Motion that we are to debate today, so all these matters can be ventilated.
§ 26. Mr. Boydenasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs what is the acreage of derelict land within the boundaries of urban districts, municipal and county boroughs in England and Wales; how this acreage compares with the situation in 1938; and how much of this waste land was reclaimed for building or amenities in 1957, 1958, and 1959.
§ Sir K. JosephUp-to-date figures are not available, but information obtained during 1954 and 1955 showed that there were then about 69,000 acres of derelict land in the areas mentioned. My right hon. Friend has no figures for 1938—nor for the total amount of land reclaimed during the last three years. Local planning authorities have, however, been asked to carry out surveys of derelict land in their areas and to show the results, including their proposals for reclamation, in the reviews of their development plans.
§ Mr. BoydenMay I send the Parliamentary Secretary a note of the meeting in September of the forestry section of the British Association, which shows that a county council has the information that should be known by the Government, and which should be the basis of Government action?