§ 27. Mr. Arthur Jonesasked the Secretary of State for Local Government and Regional Planning what steps he intends to take to increase the acreage of derelict land reclaimed by local authorities outside the intermediate areas covered by Circular 17/70 and the Local Employment Act, 1970.
§ Mr. Crosland:The Government want to see an intensive drive on derelict land reclamation mainly, but not only, in the areas where grants of 85 per cent. and 75 per cent. are payable. The Ministry of Housing and Local Government will now be approaching local authorities in the other areas, where 50 per cent. grants are payable, to encourage them to tackle the problem systematically.
§ 29. Mr. Edward Lyonsasked the Secretary of State for Local Government and Regional Planning if he will make a statement on the functions of the new Central Group for Derelict Land Clearance.
§ Mr. Crosland:The tasks of the new central group will be to keep progress under continuous review; to act as a clearing house for information and advice; and generally to ensure that Government, industry and local authorities to do everything necessary to prevent and remove dereliction.
§ 32. Mr. Tinnasked the Secretary of State for Local Government and Regional Planning what increase in expenditure on derelict land clearance he expects in England over the next few years.
§ Mr. Crosland:I estimate that grant-aided expenditure by local authorities on derelict land clearance in England will be 61W about £3 million in the current financial year, as against £2 million last year. I hope to see this expenditure rise to £6 million in 1973–74.