§ Mr. ShersbyTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, pursuant to his reply to the hon. Member for Uxbridge concerning the London Green Belt Estate on 8 March,Official Report, column 524, (a) whether he has to give his consent to the disposal of any title and (b) if he will indicate what is his policy towards the use of his reserve powers under the Green Belt (London and Home 37W Counties) Act 1938 about which he gave assurance at the time of the abolition of the former Greater London Council; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Howard[holding answer 10 April 1989]: A High Court judgment of March 1988 established that section 5 of the 1938 Act continues to require local authorities to obtain the consent of my right hon. Friend for the disposal of land held under that Act notwithstanding that other legislation also applies to the sale. In determining applications under the 1938 Act, my right hon. Friend's primary concern, in line with the assurances given in 1984 and 1985, is to ensure that the land concerned continues to fulfil the objectives both of the 1938 Act and of green belt policy as set out in planning policy guidance note 2.