§ Mr. David Watkinsasked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what was the total expenditure by county councils and by metropolitan councils on land reclamation in 1979–80 and 1980–81; and what is the allocated expenditure for each of this purpose in 1981–82;
(2) what was the total expenditure by local authorities on land reclamation in England in 1980–81; and what sums have been requested and allocated for this purpose in 1981–82.
§ Mr. Giles ShawExpenditure by county councils and metropolitan councils on approved schemes for derelict land reclamation in 1979–80 was as follows:
£ Non-metropolitan countries 5,543,625 Metropolitan counties 4,545,982 Metropolitan districts 5,371,456 Information about expenditure during 1980–81 is not yet available. I will send it to the hon. Member in due course.
The expenditure provision for derelict land reclamation in 1981–82 is £37 million. Under the new capital expenditure control arrangements, local authority expenditure on reclamation is included within the block 5 'Other Services" allocation. The resources available to local authorities for other services were split between types of authority by reference to relative population and past spending patterns. Allocations to individual authorities under this arrangement were determined according to the recommendations of the respective local authority associations, and local authorities are now entirely free to determine their own priorities for expenditure, including expenditure on derelict land reclamation.