HC Deb 14 February 1956 vol 548 cc2165-6
42. Mr. E. Johnson

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what action he is taking about the proposals put forward to him for the provision of building sites for Manchester outside the city.

The Minister of Housing and Local Government (Mr. Duncan Sandys)

I have been giving much attention to this problem, following my visit to Manchester in September. Since then I have obtained further necessary information from the local authorities concerned. With the object of clarifying conflicting views, I have invited Manchester Corporation and the County Councils of Cheshire, Lancashire and Derbyshire to send representatives to discuss the whole position with me at a joint meeting next week.

Mr. Johnson

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the announcement which he has just made will be received with considerable satisfaction in Manchester? I do not in any way wish to anticipate the course of those discussions, but may I ask my right hon. Friend if he is aware that the corporation will be able to build far fewer houses than they have built hitherto unless new sites are found outside the city; and that in a few years it will be quite impossible to proceed with a slum clearance programme unless Manchester can get some more sites?