HC Deb 27 October 1976 vol 918 cc230-2W
Mr. Richard Wainwright

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list in the Official Report all the regional grants, incentives, premiums and similar schemes operated by his Department in the last five years, indicating the dates of introduction and where necessary the date of termination of these schemes.

Mr. Guy Barnett

The information is as follows:

  1. (a) Grants for the reclamation of derelict land under Section 20 of the Industrial Development Act 1966 and Sections 1 and 2 of the Local Employment Act 1970? —now consolidated by Section 8 of the local Employment Act 1972 as amended by the Industry Act 1972. The earlier rates of grant—85 per cent. in development areas and 75 per cent. in intermediate areas and derelict land clearance areas—were increased to 100 per cent, for new schemes authorised from 15th December 1975.
  2. (b) Grants for the provision of basic services under Section 7 of the Local Employment Act 1972. The rate of grant is normally 30 per cent.
  3. (c) Grants for environmental improve-

GRANTS FOR DERELICT LAND RECLAMATION
(£'000)
Region 1971–72 1972–73 1973–74 1974–75 1975–76
Northern … 1,490 1,427 1,609 2,461 2,342
NorthWest … 549 868 1,057 964 2,821
Yorkshire and Humberside … 187 634 783 169 889
East Midlands … 197 515 554 242 608
West Midlands … 370 122 346 742 930
SouthWest … 22 — 7 — 16
Totals … 2,815 3,566 4,356 4,578 7,606

GRANTS FOR THE PROVISION OF BASIC SERVICES
(£'000)
1971–72 1972–73 1973–74 1974–75 1975–76
615 717 748 1,087 4,522
It is not possible to provide separate figures for individual regions.

GRANTS UNDER THE SPECIAL ENVIRONMENTAL ASSISTANCE SCHEME
(£'000)
Region 1972–73 1973–74 1974–75 1975–76
Northern … … 408 2,436 2,261 560
NorthWest … … 844 4,570 2,664 2,029
Yorkshire and Humberside … … 126 2,204 1,713 233
East Midlands … … 131 373 118 118
West Midlands … … 3 511 47 25
South West … … — 156 103 35
Totals … … 1,512 10,250 6,906 3,000
AUGMENTED GRANTS FOR IMPROVEMENTS TO DWELLINGS
Separate information is not available.

ment under the Special Environmental Assistance Scheme, "Operation Eyesore". This scheme was introduced in February 1972 and ended in September 1973. Rates of Grant were 85 per cent, in development areas and 75 per cent, in intermediate areas and derelict land clearance areas.

(d) Augmented grants in assisted areas for improvements to dwellings under the Housing Act 1971. Payments in respect of applications from private owners were limited to those approved on or before 30th September 1973.

Mr. Richard Wainwright

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the total value, at August 1976 prices, of the assistance granted to each region of the United Kingdom, under his Department's special regional schemes, in each of the last five years.

Mr. Guy Barnett

The following information is available, but it is not possible to supply all the details requested by the hon. Member. All figures relate to historical costs.