HC Deb 24 January 1983 vol 35 cc342-3W
Mr. Murphy

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment, pursuant to his answer of 21 December, Official Report, c. 520, if he will take steps to encourage the divestment of the vacant land in Welwyn/Hatfield district for the purposes of private house building and industrial expansion.

Mr. Giles Shaw

Of the 11 sites owned by British Rail, the Hertfordshire county council and the Commission for the New Towns entered on the Welwyn/Hatfield land register six are to be sold or are available for sale, and a further site will be released in the autumn. Development is proposed on three sites, and the future of the eleventh is to be decided when its planning status has been resolved.

The district council owns two sites on the register, and my Department is asking it to clarify its intentions. Further action will be considered in the light of its reply.