Derelict Land (Hansard, 12 November 1973)

§ 4. Mr. Ifor Davies
asked the Secretary of State for Wales whether he will now reconsider his refusal to sanction grants to local authorities for derelict land schemes already approved.

§ 13. Mr. Kinnock
asked the Secretary of State for Wales when he expects to publish the findings of his review of the financing of derelict land reclamation.

§ Mr. Gibson-Watt
My right hon. and learned Friend is currently considering the derelict land programme in relation to the many schemes which have been put forward and to the other substantial claims on available resources. He hopes soon to be in a position to determine priorities among the outstanding claims for financial assistance. Meanwhile, I am glad to say that more money is being spent in the current year on derelict land clearance in Wales than in any other previous year.

§ Mr. Davies
The review which the hon. Gentleman has indicated seems to be taking a very long time. Is he aware that many local authorities in Wales have already committed themselves to considerable expenditure on purchasing land for clearance schemes, with the encouragement of the Welsh Office? Is he further aware that many schemes have been given the final approval of his Department? I mention two in my own constituency, the Ystalyfera Canal and the Cwmgorse schemes. In these cases, does not the hon. Gentleman realise that sanction should be given? The Welsh Office has 6 been able to boast that the Derelict Land Unit is one of its great successes. Is not the present attitude of the Department likely to bring that success into disrepute?

§ Mr. Gibson-Watt
I welcome the interest of all local authorities in this important work. When the review is produced local authorities will be informed as soon as possible.

§ Mr. Kinnock
In view of the months during which this review has been taking place, is the Minister of State aware that his answer is still most unsatisfactory? There are areas in the valleys which are completely clogged by road traffic. In Risca, in my constituency, not only is there no passage through the town but people lose hours at work and bus companies are not operating effectively for hours in the day because of this review? Is not the review now becoming thought of as an excuse?
Finally, will the hon. Gentleman answer the question which I addressed to him in a letter last month, namely, will he confirm that there is no difficulty of this kind in England and that it is confined to Wales, where the need for this assistance is most acute?

§ Mr. Gibson-Watt
We would like very much to increase the allocation for this work. As in all matters, there have to be priorities. We have many other equally important claims on available resources. We should not overlook the fact that on miscellaneous local services alone—of which derelict land clearance forms part—we shall be spending £74.2 million this year, which is an increase of £11 million on 1971–72, at constant prices. However, I quite understand the anxiety and concern of hon. Members.

§ 18. Mr. William Edwards
asked the Secretary of State for Wales when work will commence on the Glan-y-Don derelict land clearance scheme at Blaenau Ffestiniog; and whether he will make a statement.

§ Mr. Gibson-Watt
My right hon. and learned Friend is considering this along with many other schemes for which grant aid is being sought and he will come to a decision as soon as possible. Grant has already been paid on the consultants' fees which have been incurred on the scheme.

§ Mr. Edwards
Will the hon. Gentleman look again at the history of this scheme? Will he accept that there is an unsatisfactory state of affairs in the Derelict Land Unit and that a tremendous amount of work is being done by the unit in pressing forward with schemes, coupled with a tremendous increase in costs through one firm of consultants, which is leading to a situation in which many small authorities are finding themselves in considerable difficulties? Is it not a total waste of time to pay consultants' fees of £17,500 in work urged upon the council in question by the Derelict Land Unit when that unit should have known that the work could not go forward?

§ Mr. Gibson-Watt
I shall see that the hon. Gentleman's views are conveyed to the Derelict Land Unit. If there is a feeling that we in the Welsh Office are not looking to derelict land problems in North Wales—although the greater number of problems lie in South Wales—I should like to give the assurance that we have the problems of North Wales very much in mind.