HC Deb 05 November 1971 vol 825 cc35-7W
Mr. Chichester-Clark

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what action he is taking to co-ordinate in his Department the implementation of policy regarding the release of land for house-building and the house-building programme itself; and whether Ministers directly concerned with increasing the supply of building land take a full part in the deliberations of his standing committee concerned with the housing programme which have representatives on them from local authorities, building societies and the industry itself.

Mr. Graham Page

As the Minister specially concerned with matters relating to the supply of land I am, as necessary, consulted and informed by all my colleagues about the relevant aspects of their work.

Mr. Chichester-Clark

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will list the sites formerly owned by the Land Commission which he has sold since 27th July, 1971; what acreage each of these sites represented; on what date it was sold; to whom it was sold; and whether he will indicate in each case whether the site was publicly advertised and auctioned, disposed of by a selected list of tenderers, or sold by direct negotiation.

Mr. Michael Heseltine

The following sites were sold to local authorities by direct negotiation:

  • Boscow Road, Little Lever (8.77 acres), sold to Little Lever U.D.C. on 17th September, 1971.
  • Larksmead, Blandford (16.16 acres) sold to Blandford R.D.C. on 7th October, 1971.
  • Park Lane, Congleton (2.25 acres) sold to Congleton B.C. on 6th October, 1971.

The following were sold to private purchasers:

  • Middle Road, Sholing (1.73 acres) sold by direct negotiation on 3rd September, 1971.
  • Canal Road, Congleton (41.75 acres) sold by public auction on 26th October, 1971.
  • Grange Farm, Congleton (16 square yards) sold by direct negotiation on 26th October, 1971.
  • Grange Farm, Congleton (266 square yards) sold by direct negotiation on 27th October, 1971.
It is not my practice to disclose the names of private purchasers.

Mr. Chichester-Clark

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what steps he has taken since July to procure information from local authorities about the amount of land which they have released, or designated for release, for building since the issue of Circular 10/70. over and above their previous plans, so that he will be able to keep hon. Members adequately informed about progress in the regard.

Mr. Graham Page

I hope to make a general statement soon about the response to Circular 10/70.

Mr. Chichester-Clark

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the local authorities known to him which have disposed of land surplus to their requirements in response to Circular 10/70; and if he will indicate the sites involved in each case, the firms to which the land was disposed of, and the price paid for the land, where this information has already been made publicly available.

Mr. Graham Page

I am not collecting such detailed information. However, I hope to make a general statement soon about the response to Circular 10/70.