HC Deb 16 March 1977 vol 928 cc370-1
4. Mr. Peter Walker

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will take action to see that when local authorities are able to dispose of office accommodation they are free to dispose of it at the best possible price and on a freehold basis if they wish to do so.

The Under-Secretary of State for the Environment (Mr. Guy Barnett)

Local authorities are already free to dispose of surplus office accommodation on the best terms available for leases of up to 99 years. If there is a special case for disposal on a freehold basis or a longer leasehold agreement, I am prepared to consider it.

Mr. Walker

In my county, which the hon. Gentleman knows about because he recently met a delegation from it, we have a large number of properties to dispose of because of officers moving into new properties. Can he arrange a quick decision and confirm that, if it is in the interests of the county's ratepayers to dispose of these properties on a freehold basis, quick agreement will be forthcoming from the Government?

Mr. Barnett

I am always willing to consider cases. If the authorities concerned submit cases, I shall look at them.

Mr. Lipton

Might I probe this matter a little further? Is it not time to clip or liberate the fussy planning powers of local authorities? Was it not better in the old days when we had shops, offices and workshops which added colour and variety to the residential areas in which they were situated? I remember that when I was a lad there was a felt-monger's round the corner between two private houses and no one minded.

Mr. Speaker

Order. We believe that the hon. Gentleman was a lad once, but we do not need to hear about it.

Mr. Barnett

I agree with my hon. Friend if he is arguing against too rigid zoning in planning laws. I suggest that that does not relate directly to the original Question, since the Community Land Act will give local authorities greater planning flexibility.