§ 15. Mr. Adam Hunterasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the amount spent on clearing derelict areas 1355 in Fife from October, 1964, until the latest convenient date; and if he will state the comparable figures for a similar period up to October, 1964.
§ Dr. Dickson MabonFrom October, 1964, to December, 1968, work had been completed, or was in progress, on three schemes costing £137,000. This included the first phase of the Lochore Meadows project, which is estimated to cost £1 million, spread over seven to eight years. From March, 1960, when grants first became available, to October, 1964, six schemes were undertaken costing £75,000.
§ Mr. HunterIs my hon. Friend aware that a number of local authorities are extremely grateful for the generous contributions towards this type of land rehabilitation? Is it his intention to further accelerate this process?
§ Dr. MabonI am grateful for my hon. Friend's comments. With the specific grant of 85 per cent. and assistance in the resources element of the rate support grant, we expect more applications for the clearance of derelict land. I should like particularly to commend Fife County Council for the energetic way in which it has done this.