HC Deb 05 July 1972 vol 840 cc135-6W
78. Mr. Dormand

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he is satisfied with the present rate of clearance of derelict land; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Graham Page

Encouraging progress is being made. Expenditure by local authorities in England in 1971–72 was more than treble the amount spent in 1969–70 and the acreage covered by schemes approved for grant continue to rise steadily.

Following is the information:

DERELICT LAND RECLAMATION IN ENGLAND:
SCHEMES FINALLY APPROVED FOR GRANT PURPOSES AND LOCAL AUTHORITY EXPENDITURE
Financial year Number of schemes approved Acreage of derelict land Estimated gross cost £million Estimated local authority expenditure £million*
1968–69 86 1,337 2.1 1.2
1969–70 101 1,823 3.2 1.9
1970–71 189 2,972 5.0 3.5
1971–72 314 4,908 7.5 6.6
* Not necessarily related to the approvals given in the same year.

portion of this was spent on education; and what shares of this expenditure were raised from the rates, Government subsidy or in other ways.

Mr. Graham Page

Following is the information: