HC Deb 07 March 1985 vol 74 cc537-8W
Mr. Andrew MacKay

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is his latest estimate of the extent of vacant urban land suitable for housing in the south-east.

more and (b) the numbers of working families with marginal tax rates of 75 per cent. or more of (i) raising child benefit over and above indexation whilst keeping personal allowances in line with indexation, (ii) raising personal allowances over and above indexation with child benefit being increased in line with indexation only, (iii) raising both child benefit and personal allowances by the same percentage increase, assuming in all three cases a fiscal adjustment of £1.5 billion; and whether he will also show the amounts of increase in allowances and child benefit that would occur under each of these policies.

Mr. Whitney

I have been asked to reply.

All three options quoted would reduce the number of working families with a marginal tax rate of 75 per cent., or more, by about 10,000 to 20,000 although options (ii) and (iii) would result in some of these families still having a marginal tax rate of over 50 per cent. The effect would be similar but less marked for those with marginal tax rates of 50 per cent. or more, but it is not possible to be more precise.

The table shows the amounts of increases above indexation in allowances and child benefits that have been assumed for each option.

Mr. Macfarlane

There is no overall figure available in the form requested, but the local authorities, in updating their development plans and undertaking joint land availability studies with the House Builders Federation, are continually reviewing the need for and provision of land for housing both in and outside urban areas.

Mr. Andrew MacKay

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many acres of urban vacant land have been released for development as a result of orders made under the Local Government, Planning and Land Act 1980.

Mr. Macfarlane

The total area of land subject to directions made under section 98 of Local Government, Planning and Land Act 1980 is just over 30 acres. Tenders are currently being considered by three of the landowning bodies concerned, but to date no sale has been completed.