Mr. Jim Callaghanasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he is satisfied with current progress in releasing derelict land for development; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. FoxIn England 100 per cent. grants are payable to local authorities for approved reclamation schemes in the assisted areas and derelict land clearance areas, where land for development is most needed, and 50 per cent. grants elsewhere. In the last two financial years, 2,864 hectares of derelict land have been reclaimed and brought into use by local authorities using these grants. It is estimated that another 1,000 hectares are reclaimed annually by local authorities and other agencies without benefit of grant. I consider this to be good progress.
Under the Local Government, Planning and Land Act 1980 grants are now available for reclamation works carried out by the private sector, and by public bodies other than local authorities, and for a wider range of work designed to assist development of reclaimed sites.