THE EARL OF HARROWBYasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether, in view of the pressure on land in this small island, they will make a survey of all waste ground in the United Kingdom which is not definitely used or usable as agricultural land, woodlands, or playing fields, nor worthy of retention for its amenity or scenic attractions, or for any other specific use; whether such survey can be made to include an estimate of the number of families which could be housed on each parcel of such land, and whether they will initiate action to ensure that such waste land, for which no use is at present contemplated, will, in view of its enormous extent, especially in railway, mining and ex-mining areas, be acquired before any other land is utilised for these or other purposes.
§ LORD MITCHISONIn general the use of land for housing, including the density of the housing, and its use for 979WA other development, is a matter for the local planning authority. In its plans the authority must have regard to a wide variety of factors in addition to the unsuitability of land for other purposes. Planning authorities may be trusted not to overlook the potentialities of derelict land to which attention was drawn in the Ministry of Housing and Local Government's handbook New Life for Dead Lands.
Local authorities have been asked to make reports on derelict land within 980WA their areas to my right honourable friend the Minister of Housing and Local Government by 31st March, 1965, and thereafter annually.
It is for the interests in private land to decide on its suitability for agriculture or tree planting. Assistance is available under various schemes towards the improvement of land for these purposes and to local authorities towards its improvement for amenity.
House adjourned at twenty-six minutes past five.