§ Mr. W. Hamiltonasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the area of derelict sites in the central industrial belt; and what acreage will be improved this year with the aid of grants under the Local Employment Act.
§ Mr. NobleThe extent of derelict land of all kinds in the central industrial pelt has been estimated at about 15,000 acres. Schemes for the rehabilitation of about 1,200 acres have now been approved; but it is too early to say how many of these will be completed by the end of this year. Schemes involving a further 750 acres are under consideration, and I hope that it will be possible to start work on some of these this year.