§ Mr. McAvoyTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will publish the rules for sale of public land to private companies.
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§ Mr. MoynihanGuidance on disposals by Government Departments of land which is surplus to their requirements is given in chapter 32 of "Government Accounting—A guide of Accounting and Financial Procedures for the Use of Government Departments", and in a Treasury letter to accounting officers (DAO 4/88).
Local authorities have a general power under section 123(1) of the Local Government Act 1972 to dispose of land. However, subsection (2) of that section requires them to obtain consent from the Secretary of State for the Environment for any proposed disposal at less than the best consideration reasonably obtainable. My Department has from time to time issued advice by circular to local authorities about particular issues relating to land disposals.