HC Deb 22 February 1982 vol 18 cc311-2W
Mr. Heddle

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment which local authorities and nationalised industries have yet to furnish his Department with details of their vacant land holdings in preparation for the national land register to be published on 1 April 1982.

Mr. Giles Shaw

Of the 375 local authorities asked to supply information for the new land registers 189 have yet to do so. The other public bodies chiefly concerned are making good progress in submitting returns, but some areas have yet to be covered.

Mr. Heddle

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether, in view of the work currently being undertaken by teams identifying developable land in those areas where land registers are already in existence, he will reconsider his decision not to appoint similar teams for the remainder of the United Kingdom.

Mr. Giles Shaw

Similar teams for the remaining: 130 English districts would overstretch the Department's resources, but I am looking into other possibilities for engaging local public and private sector expertise in investigating land register sites, including discussions with the chambers of commerce.