§ Mr. Beaumont-Darkasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether he will make a statement about the Rayner scrutiny of land acquisition, management and disposal in Northern Ireland.
§ Mr. ButlerI have arranged for a copy of this report to be placed in the Library. This was a valuable study covering an area of Government activity to which considerable financial resources are being devoted and in which significant staff resources are involved. I endorse, in particular, the central theme of the scrutiny that all Departments should handle more effectively the assessment of the need for land, the acquisition and management of land, and the identification and disposal of surplus land. In carrying forward action, the Department of the Environment for Northern Ireland will be the lead Department on policy on land in Northern Ireland. The professional lands officers will be brought together in a valuation and lands office located in the Department of Finance and Personnel which will provide professional advice to all Departments.