HC Deb 09 November 1970 vol 806 c21
20. Mr. Cormack

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many acres of derelict land are owned by the National Coal Board

Mr. Ridley

I am asking the Chairman of the National Coal Board to write to my hon. Friend.

Mr. Cormack

I shall await that letter with interest. Will my hon. Friend bear in mind that the areas in which most derelict sites lie have contributed significantly to the country's prosperity? I hope that in Conservation Year my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment will consider setting a target date for clearing such derelict sites.

Mr. Ridley

I will pass on what my hon. Friend said. The difficulty about giving him information is that much derelict land which has been made derelict by the Coal Board does not belong to the Coal Board. Also it is very difficult to distinguish what is derelict land so as to give a meaningful reply without giving a long answer.