HC Deb 08 February 1978 vol 943 cc1446-7
15. Mr. John Hunt

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what assistance he is providing to voluntary organisations engaged in clearing and restoring waste land.

Mr. Guy Barnett

The Department provides direct financial assistance to a number of national and regional organisations which may undertake land improvement schemes. Local authorities are, however, the main source of help for local projects.

Mr. Hunt

Does the hon. Gentleman agree with the Civic Trust that voluntary groups have an important role to play in this sphere? As he has said that local authorities are important, will he give verbal and, perhaps, financial encouragement to help them undertake surveys in their areas, identify the derelict land which exists and help voluntary groups with the provision of rubbish skips and other facilities so that they can get on with the work of clearing the derelict land?

Mr. Barnett

I very much welcome the hon. Gentleman's concern in this matter. We already encourage local authorities to do what they can to clear up waste land and I am aware of the Civic Trust's concern in this matter and the work that it has already done, particularly in the North-East. There have been a number of outstanding examples of what can be achieved as a consequence of the relatively small grants that the Department provides. A main objective of those grants is to provide opportunities for innovation, and I hope that local authorities will benefit from the experience of others in this area.

Mr. Skinner

With 1,500,000 people on the dole, would it not be sensible to use some of them to clear derelict land, never mind allowing it to be done by voluntary organisations?

Mr. Barnett

My hon. Friend may be aware that this is already done under the job creation programme.