§ 88. Mr. Blenkinsopasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what action is being taken to speed up the clearance of derelict land; and by what date the clearance of the main areas of dereliction will be completed.
§ Mr. Peter WalkerWe have every intention of tackling this problem vigorously and already schemes are being approved at an increasing rate. It would be unrealistic to set a target date for the clearance of dereliction over the country as a whole. Not every authority would be able to achieve it; but in the priority areas where existing dereliction is most concentrated it will be our aim to get the greater part cleared within ten years. In addition to maintaining the existing high rates of grant increasing funds will be made available for this purpose.