§ Mr. Frank Allaunasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list in the Official Report the powers presently available under which local authorities are enabled to purchase land.
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§ Mr. FoxApart from the general powers in part VII of the Local Government Act 1972, many enactments dealing with specific local authority functions include land acquisition powers. To check and list all of them, as well as the powers in local Acts, would involve disproportionate cost.
§ Mr. Frank Allaunasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what definitions his Department uses for vacant and unused land.
§ Mr. Frank Allaunasked the Secretary of State for the Environment to what extent local authorities have used the rating system to make the holding of derelict and unused land unprofitable.
§ Mr. KingDerelict and vacant land is not normally liable for rating since it is not in beneficial occupation. As for empty buildings, our most recent information is that approximately half of all rating authorities exercise their discretion under schedule 1 to the General Rate Act 1967 to levy the empty property rate, which includes all the London boroughs and the great majority of metropolitan districts. Nearly half of the authorities which are levying the empty property rate are levying it at 100 per cent. on all classes of property.
§ Mr. Frank Allaunasked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) if, when the local discussions following replies from the nationalised industries on land release are concluded, he will propose that the partnership authorities publish the results;
(2) when he expects the local discussions arising from replies from the nationalised industries on land release in partnership areas to be concluded;
(3) if he will publish in the Official Report the results of the reviews of surplus sites conducted by the nationalised industries and statutory undertakers as a consequence of his predecessor's letter 12 months ago to the chairmen of those bodies;
(4) what steps he will take to secure the better use of publicly owned land, particularly in the inner city areas.
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§ Mr. KingThe release of surplus land by local authorities and nationalised industries is vital. I am not satisfied that the review of surplus land holdings in certain inner city areas by local authorities and nationalised industries which was initiated under the last Government will produce the results that are needed or that publication of its conclusions would be of value. I am considering what more needs to be done.
§ Mr. Frank Allaunasked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will take steps to extend the liability for rating to derelict and vacant land.
§ Mr. Frank Allaunasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will take powers to promote the use of clear signposting of ownership on undeveloped land so as to inform local people and assist permanent and temporary uses.
§ Mr. Frank Allaunasked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he is satisfied with the rate at which surplus land is being released for development by statutory undertakers.
§ Mr. FoxNo. I refer the hon. Member to what my right hon. Friend said in the debate on the Address on 17 May.—[Vol. 967, c. 406.]