§ Mr. Andrew MacKayasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he is satisfied with the release of vacant land in urban areas for housing and development in the south-east.
§ Mr. MacfarlaneAs was emphasised in my Department's circular on land for housing (15/84), published last year, the Government attach the greatest importance to making full and effective use of vacant land within urban areas, and I would like to see more progress on this front.
We are taking steps to ensure the release of land on land registers and are giving high priority to the reclamation of derelict land in urban areas. However, as the circular points out, most new housing will continue to be on new sites.