855
Written Answers
11 FEBRUARY 1977
Mr. Guy Barnett: The information is contained in the following table, which is based on the latest available compara- tive information from the 1974 survey of derelict land. Figures for the Black Country districts are included, since a comparison with the conurbation is prob- ably more relevant than with Birmingham alone.
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Statutorily derelict land as a percentage of the total land area of the authority
Authority
Telford New Town
4-2(a)
Birmingham Metropolitan District
0-8
Dudley Metropolitan District
3-9
Sandwell Metropolitan District
3.6
Walsall Metropolitan District
3-7
Wolverhampton
Metropolitan
)
District
2-2
Written Answers
856
the long-standing social deprivation of the indigenous population of Telford New
Town.
Mr. Guy Barnett: Social deprivation is only one of a considerable number of factors in allocating resources, all of which are taken into account within the existing machinery.
FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH
AFFAIRS
Hong Kong
Mr. Parry asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs 'what criteria are used in assessing com-
(a) Since 1974 this figure has been reduced 'pensation for land, property and busi- by over 20 per cent.
As my hon. Priend knows, I was able
to see some of the work the Corporation has undertaken to tackle the problem of dereliction on my visit to Telford yesterday.
Telford
Mr. Gerry Fowler asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what objec- tive criteria he has used to measure the relative social deprivation of the old industrial area of East Shropshire, within which Telford New Town is situated, and of Birmingham.
"
Mr. Guy Barnett: No such measure- ment of the relative social deprivation has been made.
Mr. Gerry Fowler asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what are his proposals to increase the resources available to Telford Development Cor- poration for the clearance of the physical dereliction of much of the designated area of the new town.
Mr. Guy Barnett: Land reclamation is an integral part of the programme of work of Telford Development Corpora- tion and as such is taken into account every year when financial allocations are made.
Mr. Gerry Fowler asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what are his proposals for making resources avail- able to Telford Development Corpora- tion, Salop County Council and the Dis- trict Council of The Wrekin, to remedy
11CT
*
nesses acquired for the building of the Mass Transit Railway in Hong Kong; and who is responsible for paying the compensation.
Mr. Luard: Compensation for land and buildings is assessed at market value at the time of acquisition as provided for in the Mass Transit Railway (Land Acquisition and Related Provisions) Ordinance. Businesses as such are not acquired, but compensation is assessed for loss or damage to a business caused by the acquisition of land. The authority for assessing and paying compensation is the Director of Public Works. Com- pensation matters which cannot be settled between the authority and the owner are referred to the Lands 'Tribunal.. **/
Mr. Parry asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how much has been paid in compensation for acquisition of land and property for the construction of the Mass Transit Railway in Hong Kong to date; and how many claims are still outstanding.
Mr. Luard: $HK44,253,637 has been paid in compensation to date. 51 claims are outstanding, 39 of which have been referred to the Lands Tribunal. 36 of these 39 claimants have accepted amounts equivalent to the Hong Kong Govern- ment's statutory offer of compensation as advance payments pending adjudication.
Mr. Parry asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assistance is given by the Hong
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