§ 34. Miss Fookesasked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he is satisfied that the official total of derelict land adequately reflects the extent of land which is actually derelict; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Peter WalkerNo, Sir. The present form of survey was designed with local authority reclamation of past industrial dereliction primarily in mind. Proposals for a survey on a wider basis have been discussed with the local authority associations and are now being tested by selected local authorities.
§ Miss FookesWhen will we get a final result on this—in months or years?
§ Mr. WalkerThere are two discrepancies in the present figure. First, under the present definition there is scope for local authorities to re-examine whether they have found all the derelict land concerned. We have asked them to do so. These test surveys are taking place at the present time.
§ Mr. Scott-HopkinsWould my right hon. Friend agree that this is tied in with the much wider question of a survey of land in this country, which is sadly lacking and which ought to be carried out as soon as possible?
§ Mr. WalkerWe are proceeding at a pretty fast rate on regional planning use and dealing with derelict land. We will double expenditure on this in the coming year.
§ Mr. David ClarkWould the right hon. Gentleman confirm that coal spoil heaps which are in current use are not classed as derelict land? Could he give us an indication whether the amount of derelict land being cleared exceeds the amount of derelict land being created?
§ Mr. WalkerIt depends on the definition we give to "derelict land". The answer to the hon. Gentleman's first point is "Yes". As far as the second is concerned, defined derelict land is being cleared at a fast and accelerating rate.