§ Mr. Adleyasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what steps he intends to take to solve the problem of derelict urban land, highlighted in the recent Civic Trust Report; if he intends to encourage the use of such land for development in place of the use of agricultural land; and if he has any proposals in mind to provide assistance for reclamation schemes in England similar to the assistance available in Scotland through the Scottish Development Agency.
§ Mr. Shore, pursuant to his reply [Official Report, 28th November 1977; Vol. 940, c. 73–4], circulated the following information:
The problem of derelict and vacant urban land is particularly important in our major cities. The availability of such land and its future use is one of the early matters that we shall be discussing with local authorities in the partnership areas. In England, local authorities already receive grant assistance for work in connection with derelict land and I do not see any necessity for the creation of an agency.