§ Mr. Tebbitasked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) whether he will list those local planning authorities which have indicated to him that they have 63W released more land for private housebuilding during the first six months of 1971 than in the first six months of 1970; and what has been the acreage involved in each case:
(2) whether he will list those local planning authorities which have indicated to him that they will release more land for private housebuilding in the next 12 months than they did in the previous 12 months; and what acreage has been involved in each case;
(3) Whether he will list those local authorities which have indicated to him that they do not intend to increase their land release allocation over the next 12 months because they regard the present allocation as adequate; and what action he has taken to persuade them to increase their allocations.
§ Mr. Peter WalkerInformation is not readily available in the form requested by my hon. Friend. All local planning authorities were asked in Circular 10/70, to ensure that sufficient land was released to meet housing needs for at least the next 5 years. Where builders are encountering specific problems, they are being encouraged to approach the local authorities about these with a view to working out solutions. My officials are helping arrange such discussions where asked.
Meanwhile, both I and the other Ministers of the Department of the Environment have had talks with many of the key authorities about land release, and I am giving full weight to the need for adequate supplies of land to come forward in considering the applications that come before me for planning permission and for amendments to development plans.