§ Mr. Sillarsasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the powers of the appropriate local government legislation which will enable the Greater London Council to provide rent-free factories for industry locating in London.
§ Mr. ShoreIn disposing of land—and this includes letting of factories—local authorities are required by Section 123 of the Local Government Act 1972 or Section 26 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1959 to obtain not less than the best terms reasonably obtainable unless they seek and obtain my consent to dispose on concessionary terms—for example, by giving a rent free period when letting out a factory.
Clause 10 of the Inner Urban Areas Bill seeks powers to enable local authorities to give grants equivalent to up to two years rent to firms taking leases of commercial or industrial buildings in partnership areas, which in London will be Docklands, Lambeth, Hackney and Islington.
I am not aware of any other relevant powers in London local authority private legislation.