§ 29. Mr. Albert Robertsasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he will consider increasing the grant for the removal of dereliction in grey areas from 50 per cent. to the amount allowed in development areas, namely 85 per cent., in view of the amount of dereliction in parts of the Yorkshire and Humberside Region.
§ Mr. SkeffingtonThis grant under the Local Government Act, 1966, became effective only a year ago.
The Hunt Committee will be reporting on grey areas and their findings may have a bearing on this matter but any proposal of this kind must be considered at present in the light of the need to restrain the growth of public expenditure. Meanwhile local authorities are being encouraged to draw up rolling three-year programmes in discussion with the Department's regional officers, who have been asked to give priority to schemes from grey areas.
§ 31. Mr. Mappasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what economic aid he makes available to local authorities in the old industrial areas, but excluded from development areas, to clear derelict buildings and land preparatory to economic development.
§ Mr. SkeffingtonUnder the Local Government Act 1966 grant at the rate of 50 per cent. is available to all local authorities towards the cost of clearing derelict, neglected or unsightly land, in-48W cluding derelict buildings. In addition, the balance of the expenditure on clearance may qualify for the resources element of the rate support grant.