§ Mr. Boydenasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs what is the average lime taken in approving a grant for the improvement of derelict land from the time the original application of the local authority.
§ Mr. CorfieldApplications under Section 5 of the Local Employment Act, 1960, normally pass through three stages of approval. First, provisional approval is given to an outline application, so that the local authority can be sure that they will not be wasting their time in preparing a detailed scheme. This is followed by approval in principle to a detailed scheme based on a technical report, plans and estimates. Final approval is given on submission of a tender for the work to be done. On average the time taken to complete all three stages has been about 13 months, including the time taken by the local authority to prepare a detailed scheme and obtain tenders. This is too long and my right hon. Friend is taking steps to speed up the procedure so far as the Department are concerned.