§ 144. Dr. Millerasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will take steps to accelerate the process of land acquisition and land rezoning with special emphasis on land for housing.
§ Mr. Ross:I have already taken a number of such steps, and the Land 161W Commission can now give substantial help. I am sending my hon. Friend copies of circulars issued in 1965 and 1966 encouraging local authorities to prepare housing programmes five years in advance, of a memorandum issued in 1966 to guide them on short-term development planning, and of a circular issued in 1967 to guide them on the zoning and acquisition of land for private housing. I am at present reviewing the powers and procedures for acquiring land in support of planning and I will incorporate any necessary changes in the Scottish planning legislation which is in preparation.