§ Mr. Rostasked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will set up an inquiry into the profitability of the activities of derelict land reclamation developers who purchase land and resell after the removal of slag heaps.
§ Mr. John SilkinI see no purpose in any inquiry. The experience of local authorities shows that most derelict land reclamation is carried out at a loss.
§ Mr. Rostasked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he is satisfied with existing financial incentives for derelict land reclamation developers engaged in the removal of slag heaps.
§ Mr. John SilkinGenerous Government grants are payable to local authorities on the net loss incurred in acquiring and reclaiming derelict land. The rates of grant are 85 per cent. in the development areas, 75 per cent. in the intermediate and derelict land clearance areas and 50 per cent. elsewhere. The Government want to see as much reclamation as possible undertaken—within the present economic restraints—and good164W progress is being made. Reclamation by private developers does not attract grant.
§ Mr. Rostasked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many acres of derelict land have been reclaimed by the removal of slag heaps in each of the past five years; what was the net average cost per acre paid for such land before reclamation; and what was the average realised sale price per acre after reclamation.
§ Mr. John SilkinThe acreage of spoil heaps reclaimed in England in each of the years 1968–72 is as follows:
Acres 1968 … … … … 506 1969 … … … … 874 1970 … … … … 1,345 1971 … … … … 1,666 1972 … … … … 2,140 6,531 Information beyond 1972 is not yet available and I regret that details of prices before and after reclamation in the form requested are also not available.
Information about land reclaimed in Scotland and Wales is a matter for my right hon. Friends the Secretaries of State for Scotland and Wales respectively.