Oral Answers to Questions

David Amess Excerpts

Monday 31st October 2011 Commons Chamber

[Robert Neill]

I was about to congratulate the hon. Gentleman on retaining his post in the reshuffle; I might rethink that, because I am afraid it is the same old story and he is plain wrong. The Government have made it clear that we are protecting the fire service as a front-line service. We have back-loaded services and indicated to county councils with fire authorities that they should maintain the same profile. We have also made available £70 million of capital grant to improve their future adjustments and made it clear that we will protect all front-line operations.

[Mr David Amess (Southend West) (Con)]

2. What steps his Department is taking to dispose of surplus public sector land and offices.

[The Minister for Housing and Local Government (Grant Shapps)]

We are leading a cross-Government programme to release surplus public land for up to 100,000 homes.

[Mr Amess]

I am delighted that my right hon. Friend envisages all that surplus land being released, but will he please explain how the finances will flow to provide those houses and say something about social mobility and housing?

--- Later in debate ---

[Mr Speaker]

Order. I wanted to hear the question, but the registration of Members’ interests is undertaken by Members in their capacity as Members, rather than as Ministers. I suspect that there will be a correspondence or exchange subsequently, but that is my understanding of the position.

[Mr David Amess (Southend West) (Con)]

T7. Southend council is facing a sensitive planning application to build a hospice on green belt land. What reassurance can my right hon. Friend give to local residents that that would not create a precedent for more building on the green belt?

[The Minister of State, Department for Communities and Local Government (Greg Clark)]

My hon. Friend knows that I cannot comment on that particular application, for reasons that he understands, but I think it has been clear from our exchanges today that our determination is to protect the green belt through the national planning policy framework, and to take away the threats that are placed on local councils to remove it.