§ Mr. David MarshallTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what powers are available to local enterprise companies to treat land polluted by industry; and what is the total area of land polluted by industry which has been treated by each local enterprise company.
§ Mr. StewartScottish Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterprise have been given wide-ranging functions and general and specific powers under the Enterprise and New Towns (Scotland) Act 1990. Those include discretionary powers under section 4(1)(h) and 5(1)(e) respectively to bring derelict land into use or improve its appearance or to assist its being so brought or improved. Those powers and functions are, within certain limits, delegated to the local enterprise companies through their operating contracts with the core bodies.
Information on the total area of land polluted by industry which has been treated by each local enterprise 469W company is not held centrally. I have therefore asked the chairmen of Scottish Enterprise and of Highlands and Islands Enterprise to write to the hon. Member to provide the information requested.