HC Deb 04 July 1950 vol 477 cc229-30
24. Mr. Bossom

asked the Minister of Town and Country Planning what steps his Department are taking to ensure that the approved plans for the development of many of the larger cities in this country can be more expeditiously carried out.

The Minister of Town and Country Planning (Mr. Dalton)

The rate of redevelopment is determined by the labour and materials available. I would refer the hon. Member to my answer on 20th June to my hon. Friend the Member for the Sutton Division of Plymouth (Mrs. Middleton), in which I announced the 1951 programme for reconstruction of the business centres of the provincial blitzed cities.

Mr. Bossom

Is the Minister aware of the great worry that is caused in many of these towns which have been badly blitzed, due to the lack of progress made, and will he see whether the methods cannot be speeded up?

Mr. Dalton

As I said in answer to the Question referred to, we have already communicated with all the cities which have blitzed business centres, and we are collecting information from them as to how fast they can get on with reconstruction.

Mr. Odey

Will the Minister bear in mind that in a city like Hull, the plans adopted are quite impracticable and far too extravagant, and that in point of fact nothing whatever has been done?

Mr. Dalton

I must naturally be in touch with the Hull City Council on this subject, and they are in communication with me.

27. Brigadier Clarke

asked the Minister of Town and Country Planning what are his latest plans for the rebuilding of bomb-damaged cities; and, in particular, Portsmouth.

Mr. Dalton

I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the reply given to my hon. Friend the Member for the Sutton Division of Plymouth (Mrs. Middleton) on 20th June.

Brigadier Clarke

Will the Minister recommend to the other Ministries, with which he must be connected very closely, that a bigger allocation of licences should be given to bomb-damaged cities, so that they can restore the houses and factories that have been blitzed?

Mr. Dalton

The houses and factories are not affected; they are proceeding. The reconstruction and building of houses and industrial buildings are not affected by the particular allocation for the provincial blitzed city centres. This £4 million which as I was able to announce, can be spent next year, is quite additional to anything spent upon housing or industrial buildings. It is intended for the reconstruction of shops, offices, banks and so forth in the centres of these cities.