§ 18. Mr. Manderasked the Secretary of State for Air whether he is aware of the alarm created in the neighbourhood of Wolverhampton at the proposal to erect 200 houses as married quarters for the Royal Air Force on Cannock Chase: why no consultation had taken place with the town planning authority concerned; and whether any report has been received from Professor Abercrombie?
§ The Secretary of State for Air (Sir Kingsley Wood)An estate of 150 houses is being developed by private enterprise at Cannock Chase primarily to meet the demand created by the presence of civilian employés at the Royal Air Force Establishment at Hednesford. I understand that plans of this estate were passed by the Staffordshire County Council and the 1269 Lichfield Rural District Council. In these circumstances the need for further consultation or report did not arise.
§ Mr. ManderWill the right hon. Gentleman be good enough to answer the latter part of the question? Would it not have been a reasonable thing to have approached the town planning authority and Professor Abercrombie?
§ Sir K. WoodNo, Sir. In this case both the local authorities were agreed in regard to the erection of these houses by private enterprise. As a matter of fact, the Lichfield Rural District Council assured me of that when I had the honour of laying the foundation stone of the houses.
§ Mr. ManderI must press for an answer to the last part of the question. Was Professor Abercrombie consulted or not?
§ Sir K. WoodThere was no need to do that. The two local authorities were agreed on the matter.