§ Mr. Spenceasked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he is taking any steps to ensure that when land owned by public authorities becomes surplus to requirements it is offered for sale to private enterprise; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Giles ShawMy right hon. Friend has published land registers for 35 English districts and London boroughs, and has made an order extending the scheme to the rest of England. The published registers list under-used sites of one acre or more held by public bodies and include 405W surplus land. Under the Act I can direct the disposal of registered land and I shall do so in any case where such action is warranted to secure its release.
In addition my right hon. Friend has issued a ruling that land to be disposed of by public bodies should no longer be first offered to other public bodies.