HC Deb 27 April 1954 vol 526 cc1450-1
19. Mr. G. M. Thomson

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he will set up a working party containing Departmental, local authority and new town corporation members to consider the machinery for the transfer of new town development Corporations to local authority status.

The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Housing and Local Government (Mr. Ernest Marples)

No, Sir. My right hon. Friend does not think that this would be appropriate at the present time.

Mr. Thomson

Would the Parliamentary Secretary agree that this is an important and complex problem, which is already beginning to loom large in some new towns? Will he take another look at it, because it is a matter which requires investigation in good time?

Mr. Marples

I certainly agree that it is a complicated and complex problem, but the provision for winding up the development corporations and transferring them to local authority status was laid down in the New Towns Act, Section 15, which reads: where the Minister is satisfied that the purposes for which the Corporation was established under this Act have been substantially achieved. My right hon. Friend does not think the time is ripe.

Sir H. Williams

Would my hon. Friend consider having a "committee" instead of a "working party," as there are fewer words involved?