HC Deb 23 February 1983 vol 37 c458W
35. Mr. Dover

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will seek to require owners of public unused land to include on the vacant land registers all sites in their ownership which they plan to develop within one year of registers being established.

Mr. Giles Shaw

I am still considering the need for a change in the present rule.

45. Mr. Greenway

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make an order requiring the auction of 25 per cent. of the 24,000 acres of unused land belonging to nationalised industries and statutory undertakers and appearing in the vacant land registers.

49. Mr. Stevens

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will consider introducing legislation requiring local authorities and other public bodies who have unused land in the vacant land registers to be compelled to dispose of at least 25 per cent. of their holdings within 12 months, failing which it would be sold to the highest bidder without reserve.

Mr. Giles Shaw

I support the objectives of my hon. Friends, but it is not possible to proceed in this way. Much land is already on the market and before a direction is given to dispose of land the individual circumstances must be considered, and also any representations by the owners.