§ 10. Mr. Wallerasked the Secretary of State for the Environment when he proposes to announce a further list of local authorities which are to be required to publish land registers.
§ Mr. WallerIs my right hon. Friend satisfied that the plot size identified in the requirement for local authorities to register land is adequate if sufficient land is to be made available? If experience shows that a variation in the plot size is advisable, will he make that change?
§ Mr. KingYes, Sir. We wish to start with the main areas of land. Initially, we do not want to have too small a plot size, as that would greatly complicate the exercise. At a subsequent stage, we shall reduce the plot size.
§ Mr. SeverHas the Minister any estimate of the cost to public funds of gathering the information needed for the publication of such registers?
§ Mr. KingThe cost will be modest, but it will be dwarfed by the savings that will be made to public funds by the better use of public assets. There are considerable amounts of under-used or unused publicly-owned land. Such land is lying derelict, and could be put to profitable use. That would be an asset to the public sector. I hope that when the Local Government, Planning and Land (No. 2) Bill is discussed, our proposals will receive widespread support from both sides of the House.