§ 53. Mr. Heddleasked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many times he has used the powers given to him under section 98 of the Local Government, Planning and Land Act to direct local authorities to sell surplus urban land.
§ Mr. MacfarlaneI refer to my answer to my hon. Friend on 16 May 1985.
On 25 June my right hon. Friend gave notice, under section 99 of the Local Government, Planning and Land Act 1980, to the owners of 50 sites on the land registers of his intention to exercise his powers under section 98 of the Act to require them to dispose of their interest in the land. The notices gave the owners of the sites 42 days in which to make representations as to why he should not issue the directions. A list of the 50 sites in question has been placed in the Library of the House.