Derelict Land (Hansard, 13 December 1976)

§ Mr. Sillars
asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what has been the central Government contribution to schemes in South Ayrshire to clear derelict land; what has been the acreage involved; how this compares with the previous six years; and what schemes are currently in hand.

§ Mr. McElhone
The following table shows grant paid to local authorities in the District Council areas of Kyle and Carrick and Cumnock and Doon in South Ayrshire since 1969–70:

Financial Year £

1969–70 … … … 43,030

1970–71 … … … 32,378

1971–72 … … … 8,100

1972–73 … … … 11,231

1973–74 … … … 61,280

1974–75 … … … 82,101

1975–76 … … … 73,200

1976–77 … … … 3,000 (to date)

The grant was paid on 15 schemes involving 328 acres at an estimated cost of £0.5 million. One scheme—13.7 acres estimated cost £27,000—for which the Secretary of State had a continuing commitment at 15th December 1975 is still in hand.
The Scottish Development Agency assumed the responsibility for derelict land clearance in Scotland on 15th December 1975 and has schemes within these districts involving some 340 acres under consideration.

§ Mr. Sillars
asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what has been the cost from central Government funds of schemes to 588W clear derelict land in each year since 1970; and what work is presently in hand.

§ Mr. McElhone
The following table shows the grant paid to local authorities in Scotland since 1969–70:

Financial Year £

1969–70 514,867

1970–71 769,150

1971–72 498,720

1972–73 600,995

1973–74 1,343,160

1974–75 1,665,414

1975–76 2,480,422

1976–77 (to 30th November 1976). 645,902

Schemes for which the Secretary of State for Scotland had a continuing commitment at 15th December 1975 and which are still in hand number 16 and are estimated to cost £2.3 million. It is estimated that a further £3 million will ultimately be payable on schemes in respect of which the Secretary of State for Scotland undertook to pay grant.
Since 15th December 1975, the Scottish Development Agency has assumed responsibility for derelict land clearance in Scotland, and has put in hand 23 schemes estimated to cost £1.1 million of which nearly half has been spent.

Financial Year			£
1969–70	…	…	…	43,030
1970–71	…	…	…	32,378
1971–72	…	…	…	8,100
1972–73	…	…	…	11,231
1973–74	…	…	…	61,280
1974–75	…	…	…	82,101
1975–76	…	…	…	73,200
1976–77	…	…	…	3,000 (to date)

Financial Year	£
1969–70	514,867
1970–71	769,150
1971–72	498,720
1972–73	600,995
1973–74	1,343,160
1974–75	1,665,414
1975–76	2,480,422
1976–77 (to 30th November 1976).	645,902