§ 58. Mr. Churchillasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what estimate has been made of the total annual cost of the 12,000 staff which Her Majesty's Government believe will be needed by local authorities in England and Scotland for the purpose of implementing the Community Land Act.
§ Mr. John SilkinI am glad to have the opportunity to dispel some mythology on the Community Land Scheme staff numbers. Many authorities are making an effective start on the Scheme with little or no extra manpower by redeploying existing staff, sharing with other authorities and exercising good management.
The figure of 12,000 additional staff, of which less than 4,000 would be skilled, was a broad first estimate made at the time the Community Land Bill was introduced. It referred not to this year or next, but to the ultimate situation when the scheme is in full operation everywhere in the country. It is a figure which could well be too high in practice.
Staff cost will depend on the actual numbers employed and wage levels at the time, but will be offset many times over by the amount of development value that will simultaneously be accruing to the Community.