§ 2.35 p.m.
§ LORD BOSSOMMy Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
§ [The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will issue a complete tabulated list (with addresses) of all the separate units of land within the limits of Greater London now held by each of the Government Departments which are not now in actual national use, and whether this list could indicate which of these items have not already been earmarked for a specific national use within the next five years.]
THE JOINT PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY, MINISTRY OF HOUSING AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT (EARL JELLICOE)Yes, my Lords, copies are now available in the Library and the Printed Paper Office, and a copy has been sent to my noble friend.
§ LORD BOSSOMMy Lords, while thanking my noble friend for that Answer, I would say that the list embodies no fewer than six pages of different items from different Departments, some holdings being of as much as 100 acres at a time, which, as the Question suggests, indicates that a very large amount of land held in London has no purpose yet assigned to it.
§ LORD SHEPHERDMy Lords, would the noble Lord mind speaking up? We on this side of the House cannot hear.
§ LORD BOSSOMI am sorry, but it is the best voice I have. Since all this considerable amount of land is not being used for a constructive purpose 456 for which a return is made to the public is it not desirable that it should be reviewed carefully to see whether some of it could not be used for housing purposes, slum clearance and things of that sort, or even for commercial purposes, so that this very large asset is not entirely allowed to slip away? There is a great need, as I am sure the Minister knows, for the use of this land for the country at this time.
§ LORD BOSSOMI thank my noble friend for that Answer.