§ Mr. Georgeasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he is satisfied with progress being made so far by Walsall council under the derelict land clearance scheme; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Guy BarnettThe 1974 survey of derelict and despoiled land in England showed 396 hectares of land to be derelict in the area of Walsall metropolitan borough council. During the period 1 April 1974 to 31 March 1978, a total of 96 hectares of derelict land had been reclaimed, 81 hectares with the aid of 50 per cent. grant from this Department and 15 hectares from the council's own resources. No information is yet available about the amount of land reclaimed since Walsall's designation as a derelict land clearance area on 8 June 1978. However, I have every reason to hope that the introduction of 100 per cent. capital grant which applies in derelict land clearance areas will lead to a significant increase in the rate at which land is being reclaimed in the district.