HC Deb 04 November 1987 vol 121 c722W
18. Mr. Heathcoat-Amory

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what proposals he has for bringing into use publicly owned derelict land.

Mr. Ridley

I am empowered under part X of the Local Government, Planning and Land Act 1980 to direct certain public bodies to dispose of their underused land. Since 1984, the statutory procedures for directing owners to sell have been initiated on over 250 sites covering 1,300 acres. The Local Government Bill now before Parliament contains our proposals to streamline these procedures.