§ 47. Mr. Newtonasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a further statement on his proposals for dealing with the problems of the inner cities.
§ Mr. ShoreI refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to the hon. Members for Birmingham, Hall Green (Mr. Eyre)234W and Liverpool, Wavertree (Mr. Steen) on 19th January 1977.—[Vol. 924, c. 199.]
§ 50. Mr. Loydenasked the Secretary of State for the Environment, in pursuit of his policy of relieving areas of urban blight, if he will consult the gas, electricity and railway boards for the sale, at reasonable cost, of surplus land in the inner city areas to local housing authorities for the purpose of house building schemes.
§ Mr. FreesonThere are long-standing arrangements under which these boards offer surplus land to local authorities. The purchase price is a matter for negotiation within the normal rules for public sector acquisition, but since 1st August 1976 authorities have had the benefit of being able to buy net of any development land tax.