HC Deb 24 June 1969 vol 785 cc1201-2
10. Mr. Hooley

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what progress is being made in dealing with derelict land; and if he will give figures.

Mr. K. Robinson

Local authorities are steadily building up their programmes of grant-aided schemes, and with the higher grants that will be available in the intermediate areas a faster rate of clearance should be achieved. I will, with permission, circulate total figures for the last two years in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Mr. Hooley

I welcome my right hon. Friend's assurance that there is some progress at local authority level, but is he absolutely satisfied that all local authorities with serious problems of this kind are dealing with the matter as a high priority, because it should have very high priority in circumstances of economic development in certain key areas of the country?

Mr. Robinson

I cannot say that I am entirely satisfied with the progress so far. That is why we are drawing up a new national programme and increasing the grant. The grant last year was nearly 80 per cent. up on the year before.

Following is the information: During 1968–69 87 schemes for 1,350 acres at a gross cost of £1,800,000 were given final approval allowing work to start, compared with 58 schemes for 1,170 acres at a gross cost of £1,600,000 in 1967–68. £436,000 was paid in grant in 1968–69, compared with £245,000 in 1967–68.