§ Mr. Dormandasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the number of acres of derelict land reclaimed in the Northern Region and England and Wales, respectively, in each of the years from 1965 to the latest available date; and if he will estimate, at present rates of clearance, the number of years before dereliction presently thought to justify reclamation is eliminated.
§ Mr. Graham PageThe amounts of derelict land reclaimed in the Northern Region and in England as a whole were as follows:
Amount of Derelict Land Restored Calendar Year Northern Region England 1965 … … … 256 2,061 1966 … … … 326 1,641 1967 … … … 331 1,639 1968 … … … 704 2,113 1969 … … … 627 2,504 1970 … … … 762 3,645 1971 … … … 1,505 4,792 Complete figures of restoration for 1972 are not yet available but if the encouraging progress is sustained the amount of derelict land at present considered to justify treatment in the Northern Region should have been dealt with by the end of the decade. In the other parts of the priority areas in England the bulk of the existing problem should have been cleared by that time. Figures for Wales are matters for my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Wales.