§ 50. Mr. Hooleyasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he will commission a special study of the problem of industrial dereliction in areas under consideration by the Hunt Committee.
§ Mr. SkeffingtonI think it would be premature to commission any study in advance of the Hunt Committee's Report.122W This may be expected to show whether such study is necessary and where it may be required.
Meanwhile local authorities are being encouraged to put in hand a continuing three-year programme in consultations with the Department's regional offices. Priority to schemes is being given where clearance of dereliction is of special importance.
§ Mr. Blenkinsopasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what further action he is taking to speed up the clearance of derelict sites in the development areas, and in particular whether he is prepared to widen the scope of grants for this purpose by including in special cases derelict occupied sites.
§ Mr. SkeffingtonMy right hon. Friend has revised the procedure for submitting and handling grant applications and local authorities are being encouraged to put in hand a continuing three-year programme for discussion with the Department's regional offices. My right hon. Friend regrets that he does not feel able to propose legislation to extend to redevelopment the power to pay grant for clearing derelict land.