HC Deb 19 April 1972 vol 835 cc494-5
26. Mr. Rost

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the estimated acreage of land owned by local authorities scheduled for housing on which development has not yet reached an advanced planning stage.

Mr. Eyre

Because of difficulties of definition insufficient information is available on which to make a reasonable estimate.

Mr. Rost

Are not too many Labour-controlled local authorities deliberately sabotaging the Government's house building programme by dragging their feet on planning consents and hoarding land which should be either developed quickly or sold off to increase the land supply stock? Is not this adding to the spiralling cost of houses and land as well as maintaining unemployment in the building industry?

Mr. Eyre

It is for housing authorities to assess the needs of their areas and to act accordingly. We are looking to see whether any land can be released for housing among all the holdings over which the Government have influence, and we are urgently reviewing the planning procedures.

Mr. Blenkinsop

Will the hon. Gentleman try to do something to correct the damaging effect of a recent speech by the Minister for Local Government and Development in which he seemed to indicate a willingness to throw overboard any question of planning standards to satisfy private builders?

Mr. Eyre

On the contrary. I maintain that there are adequate safeguards within the proposals spelt out by my hon. Friend and that a strong look at the planning procedures is necessary to bring housing sites on to the market.

Mr. Allason

Has my hon. Friend any information about what proportion of unused land is owned by local authorities?

Mr. Eyre

No, I am afraid that precise information is not available.

Mr. Crosland

May I also add my congratulations to the Under-Secretary of State? As it becomes increasingly clear that the Government have no land policy of any kind, except to bring pressure to bear on local authorities, will the hon. Gentleman convey to the Secretary of State the urgent need to make a statement on Government policy—if any—to this House?

Mr. Eyre

I should like to stress that a complete review of planning procedures is now being urgently undertaken.