HC Deb 25 February 1998 vol 307 cc223-4W
Mr. Baldry

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what has been the total amount spent on derelict land grant in the last five years. [30947]

Mr. Caborn

My Department ceased to accept further applications for Derelict Land Grant (DLG) in March 1994 when the programme ended. Since April 1994, transitional arrangements have been in place whereby English Partnerships make payments to local authorities on behalf of the Secretary of State for all DLG projects which had been approved at that time. Annual payments have, inevitably, decreased, with an annual breakdown as follows:

  • 1993–94 £103.780 million (paid by former DOE)
  • 1994–95: £84.633 million
  • 1995–96: £65.402 million
  • 1996–97: £25.000 million
  • 1997–98: £18.000 million (estimated outturn).

Since April 1994 all DLG applications from local authorities have been handled within the framework provided by English Partnerships' overall development programme (Investment Fund), largely as part of its Land Reclamation and Partnership Investment Programmes. The operation of this Fund places greater emphasis on flexible partnerships and funding mechanisms and on maximising private investment.