HC Deb 25 March 1986 vol 94 cc433-4W
Mrs. Clwyd

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what acreage of land was reclaimed in Wales in 1975 and 1985.

Mr. Nicholas Edwards

Land reclamation schemes often involve works in more than one year. The following information is therefore provided on the basis of schemes approved to start in the years in question.

In 1975 the Welsh Office approved schemes to reclaim 1,322 acres of derelict land. In 1985 the Welsh Development Agency approved schemes for the reclamation of 662 acres of derelict land.

Mrs. Clwyd

asked the Secretary of State for Wales how much money was spent by (a) the Welsh Development Agency, (b) local authorities and (c) other public bodies in Wales on land reclamation in 1974–75 and 1984–85; and how much is planned for 1986–87.

Mr. Nicholas Edwards

In 1974–75 the Welsh Office provided 85 per cent. grant aid to local authorities for approved expenditure on land reclamation. In that year the Welsh Office provided grant aid of £2 million for land reclamation work undertaken by local authorities costing £2.35 million.

The Welsh Development Agency now gives 100 per cent. grant aid to local authorities for approved expenditure on land reclamation. In 1984–85 the agency provided grant aid of £9.8 million for local authority land reclamation schemes.

The agency plans to spend £12 million on land reclamation in 1986–87. We have no record of expenditure on land reclamation by other public bodies.