Derelict Land Unit

HC Deb 05 November 1973 vol 863 cc602-4

20. Mr. Barry Jones

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on the work of the derelict land unit in Wales.

Mr. Peter Thomas

Since the derelict land unit was set up in November 1966, 220 schemes covering the reclamation of 5,609 acres of industrially derelict land have been approved. The gross expenditure involved is £12.1 million, of which grant aid amounts to £9.5 million. Expenditure and grant aid in the current year will be higher than in any previous year.

Mr. Jones

Is the right hon. and learned Gentleman aware that there is discontent in North Wales at the drying-up of funds for projects? Does he know of the widespread feeling among Welsh people that they are getting less than their fair share compared with a region like the North West? Is he also aware of the Holywell Town Council's bitter discontent and disappointment that its green field valley scheme has not been given the go-ahead?

Mr. Peter Thomas

I do not think that the hon. Gentleman heard the last part of my answer, which was that expenditure and grant aid in the current year will be higher than in any previous year. The resources available, however, are under great pressure because of the number of schemes which have been received from local authorities throughout the Principality. My hon. Friend the Minister of State told the hon. Gentleman that a review was taking place and that one had to take into account the number of schemes that had been put in. In the light of that review, a decision will be taken.

Mr. McBride

Will the right hon. and learned Gentleman agree that, in view of the increasing costs borne by local authorities, that the time is now right for him to recommend to his right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer that a 100 per cent. financial grant in aid should be given to local authorities which are faced with immense land reclamation problems, such as those in the lower Swansea Valley?

Mr. Peter Thomas

The percentage grant which is given by the Government is, indeed, generous.

Mr. George Thomas

Is the Secretary of State aware that industrial South Wales suffers more than most parts of the country from industrial scars, and that the derelict land unit has been regarded with particular pride by our people? Will he, therefore, give an undertaking that there will be no diminution of the work which is done by the derelict land unit in order to clear our industrial scars?

Mr. Peter Thomas

I agree with the right hon. Gentleman that industrial South Wales in particular has needed and benefited from the activity of the derelict land unit. I am happy to think that in the last three and a half years the amount spent by the Government by way of grant has increased substantially every Year until the current year, when it is greater than it has ever been.