§ 24. Mr. Kinnockasked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list in the OFFICIAL REPORT the derelict land reclamation schemes in Monmouthshire for which tenders have been accepted by local authorities and which now await grant aid from his Department.
§ Mr. KinnockIs the right hon. and learned Gentleman aware that the schemes that he will list are worth nearly £2 million in cost and immeasurably more in convenience, environmental improvement and industrial development for the people of Monmouthshire? Does he appreciate that most of the eight major schemes that he will list could start within the next seven days if only he would lift the curtain on his current review? Will he confirm that the cost of many schemes is now 10 per cent. higher than on the date on which the review started and that they are likely to cost at least £200,000 more to public funds? Does he admit that the review has now become a cover up for a monumental departmental clanger in the Welsh Office?
§ Mr. ThomasI certainly agree with the hon. Gentleman that derelict land reclamation is of great importance not only in 27 Monmouthshire but in the whole of Wales. He will be aware that more money has been spent during the current year than ever before on this matter. The difficulty is that many more schemes have been put forward, and it is important that the review should take place to decide the priorities.
§ Following is the list :
| Local Authority | Name of Scheme |
| Bedwas and Machen UDC. | Risca Tip Machen. |
| Blaenavon UDC. | Kays and Kears Slopes. |
| Mynyddislwyn UDC. | Land west of Penmaen Road. |
| Nantyglo and Blaina UDC. | Market Road Junior Comprehensive School Phase II. |
| Pontypool UDC. | Pontnewynydd Cwmsychan. |
| Risca UDC. | Railway Embankment, Longbridge. |
| Tredegar UDC. | St. James Reservoir, Nantybwch. |