HL Deb 29 November 1979 vol 403 cc492-3

3.30 p.m.

The PARLIAMENTARY UNDERSECRETARY of STATE, DEPARTMENT of the ENVIRONMENT (Lord Bellwin)

My Lords, I beg to introduce a Bill to relax controls over local government; to amend the law relating to the publication of information, the undertaking of works and the payment of allowances by local authorities and other bodies, the Commissions for Local Administration and the Commissioner for Local Administration in Scotland; to make further provision with respect to rates and to grants for local authorities and other bodies and for controlling their expenditure; to amend the law relating to planning; to make provision for a register of public land and the disposal of land on it; to repeal the Community Land Act 1975; to continue the Land Authority for Wales; to make further provision in relation to land compensation, development land, derelict land and public bodies' acquisitions and disposals of land; to amend the law relating to town development and new towns; to provide for the establishment of corporations to regenerate urban areas; to make further provision in relation to gypsies and their caravan sites; to repeal enactments about new streets; to make further provision about road traffic and parking; to amend the law relating to children in community homes and the supervision of children and young persons; to abolish the Clean Air Councils and certain restrictions on the Greater London Council; and for connected purposes. My Lords, I beg to move that this Bill be now read a first time.

Moved, That the Bill be now read 1a.—(Lord Bellwin.)

On Question, Bill read 1a, and to be printed.