§ Mr. Cartwrightasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he has reviewed his needs for advice on commercial and industrial property matters; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Guy BarnettYes. My right hon. Friend's predecessor established early in 1975, during the introduction of the Community Land Scheme, an Advisory Group on Commercial Property Development. This group in essence fulfilled its remit with the publication of its report at the end of 1975 and it has now been succeeded by a standing Property Advisory Group.
The new group will carry out substantial investigations as necessary, will maintain a watching brief on the property market, give the Department regular reports of general trends and warning of difficulties, and will provide expert advice on current issues. A particular 770W concern of the group initially will be the contribution of property development in the regeneration of inner urban areas.
The chairman of the group is Jack Hughes, Esq., BSc, FRICS, and the other members are:
- Richard Caws, Esq., FRICS.
- Richard Coopman, Esq., FRICS.
- Nicholas Falk, Esq.
- David George, Esq., ARICS.
- Michael Hogg, Esq., FFA.
- Hugh Jenkins, Esq., FRICS.
- Bill Page, Esq., IPFA, FRVA.
- Brian Scholes, Esq., MA, LAMRTPI.
- Anthony Solomons, Esq., FCA.
- Wyndham Thomas, Esq.
- Derek Wood, Esq., QC, MA, BCL.
All have been appointed initially for two year terms.
The group met for the first time yesterday to decide on a programme of work. It has agreed to undertake a substantial study of the future structure and activity of the development industry: how the roles of landowner, investor and developer are changing and how the changes are likely to affect new development. This should provide useful guidance for local authorities generally in promoting development under the community land scheme, and particular attention will be paid to inner city areas. The group is likely to be seeking evidence in connection with this study later in the year.