Reed asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will consider reviewing the present definition of derelict land.

The definition for grant purposes is wide enough to permit the encouraging progress now being made by local authorities in the clearance of dereliction. My right hon. Friend is discussing with the local authority associations the undertaking of minor environmental improvement schemes for which similar grants could be available and also the definition used for the annual surveys by local authorities. He also has under consideration the problem of obsolescent buildings not within the definition of derelict land.