§ Mr. Michael Lathamasked the Secretary of State for the Environment why the hon. Member for Greenwich (Mr. Barnett) told the hon. Member for Melton, Official Report, 27th June, column 42, that the benefit to local authorities in 1976–77 of buying land net of development land tax would not be known until firm tax assessments were available at a later date, in view of the fact that the Financial Secretary to the Treasury told the hon. Member for Salford, East (Mr. Allaun), Official Report, 28th June, column 200, that the provisional figure for this was £5 million; and whether he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Guy BarnettThe hon. Member's Question of 27th June related to land acquired by authorities under the community land scheme. The provisional figure of £5 million given by the Financial Secretary to the Treasury on 28th June related to all land purchased by local authorities during the year, of which the element for community land forms an as yet unidentified part.