§ 2.41 p.m.
§ THE LORD BISHOP OF SOUTHWARKMy 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 are satisfied with the speed at which unused and surplus lands owned by Government Departments and nationalised industries in London are being released to appropriate authorities for housing development.
§ LORD GARNSWORTHYMy Lords, the procedure for the release of redundant land in London owned by Government Departments gives the housing authorities and the Housing Corporation the right to make bids for such land which are given the same priority as bids by other Government Departments. Time must therefore be allowed for consultation, hut it is normally possible to allocate it within about two months of the initial declaration of redundancy, and I do not think this can be speeded up any more. Disposal of land owned by other public 148 authorities is a matter for these authorities, but I am sure that they bear in mind the need for speed in dealing with each individual case.
§ THE LORD BISHOP OF SOUTHWARKMy Lords, while thanking the noble Lord for his reply, may I ask him two supplementary questions? First, are Her Majesty's Government satisfied that sufficient progress is being made on the Report of the public inquiry into the Greater London Development plan, and in particular the proposals made for the speeding up of overspill programmes? May I put the first part of my supplementary and ask the second in a moment.
§ LORD GARNSWORTHYMy Lords, I think that the best answer that I can give is that the Government are never satisfied with the rate of progress being made; they always wish it could be speedier.
§ THE LORD BISHOP OF SOUTHWARKMy Lords, while thanking the Minister for that not particularly illuminating reply—and I apologise for not having given him notice of my supplementary—may I ask him whether he is able to throw a little light on the negotiations that are taking place with regard to the redevelopment of London's dockland? In particular, is he content with the rate at which those negotiations are proceeding?
§ LORD GARNSWORTHYMy Lords, if the right reverend Prelate would care to put down a specific Question on that point, I shall do my best to answer it. Alternatively, I shall write to him giving details.
§ BARONESS SUMMERSKILLMy Lords, may I ask my noble friend which Church lands have been released for housing slum dwellers?
§ THE LORD BISHOP OF SOUTHWARKMy Lords, is the noble Baroness aware—
§ THE LORD BISHOP OF SOUTHWARKMy Lords, are the Government aware that the Church Commissioners will be able to supply the noble Baroness with a very long documented letter?
§ LORD GARNSWORTHYMy Lords, I think the right reverend Prelate would do well to write to the noble Baroness.
§ BARONESS SUMMERSKILLMy Lords, is my noble friend aware that the noble Baroness will be pleased to have that as quickly as possible?
VISCOUNT ST. DAVIDSMy Lords, is my noble friend aware that, although large areas are handled with some fair efficiency under the present arrangements, small areas of odd and unusual shapes in various positions, particularly those owned by public organisations such as the railways, are not in fact handled very well by the present arrangements as there does not appear to be enough imagination used in the matter? Thus, a great many useful areas of land, especially in small and vital positions in towns, are not well handled, and something more should be done about it.
§ LORD GARNSWORTHYMy Lords, I can assure my noble friend that the Department of the Environment is contivally exercising pressure with regard to this matter.