HC Deb 03 June 1913 vol 53 cc785-6
78. Sir ARTHUR GRIFFITH-BOSCAWEN

asked the President of the Local Government Board how many town-planning schemes have been finally approved by the Board under the provisions of the Housing, Town Planning, etc., Act, 1909; and whether the Board has yet made and issued any general regulations with regard to the preparation of town-planning schemes under Section 56 of the Act?

The PRESIDENT of the LOCAL GOVERNMENT BOARD ((Mr. Burns)

The Birmingham (Quinton, etc.) scheme has been finally approved. Three other schemes (East Birmingham, Rochdale, and Ruislip-Northwood) have been made by the local authorities and submitted to the Local Government Board for approval. Many other schemes which the Board have authorised to be prepared are now in course of preparation by the local authorities concerned. The Local Government Board have made regulations under Section 56 of the Act of 1909 for regulating generally the procedure with regard to the preparation of town-planning schemes. Section 55 (to which, perhaps, the hon. Member intended to refer) also enables the Board to prescribe general provisions to take effect as part of schemes, and he will find on page XXX. of the Board's Annual Report for 1911–12 a statement of the reasons why such provisions have not yet been prescribed. The reasons, I may say, still hold good.

Sir A. GRIFFITH-BOSCAWEN

Is it a fact that up to date only one town-planning scheme under this Act has been approved Can the right hon. Gentleman give the reason for this extraordinary delay in putting this Act into operation?

Mr. BURNS

No, it is not true as the hon. Gentleman suggests. One scheme has been finally approved, three are before the Board awaiting final approval, and fifty others are in process of approval Altogether 150 towns and cities are making town-planning schemes.

Sir A. GRIFFITH-BOSCAWEN

Have not these fifty been a, long time in progress? Does the delay rest with the Local Government Board?

Mr. BURNS

On the contrary, those most competent to judge are under the impression that with so many interests involved, there are occasions when more haste leads to delay.

Sir A. GRIFFITH-BOSCAWEN

Who does the right hon. Gentleman mean by "those most competent to judge"?

Mr. BURNS

Those competent to judge are Mr. Raymond Unwin and the Professor of Town Planning at Liverpool University.