HC Deb 19 June 1956 vol 554 c1230
42. Mr. MacColl

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government whether, in view of the financial difficulties in developing expanded towns, he will designate further sites for new towns.

Mr. Sandys

Not at present.

Mr. MacColl

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the leader of the Conservative Party in the London County Council has called for a large expansion in the new towns programme as the only way of dealing with the overspill problem of London? Will not the Minister take advice from such a knowledgeable quarter and learn something about the job?

Mr. Sandys

If the hon. Member had been listening to an earlier Question he would have heard reference made to a deputation which I am shortly to receive upon this subject, and which includes representatives from the London County Council.

Mr. Lindgren

Seeing that it was possible, with all the difficulties of post-war development, for 14 new towns to be started between 1946 and 1950, how can the Government explain the fact that since 1951 they have not started a single new town?

Mr. Sandys

If fewer new towns had been started earlier there would have been a bigger case for starting mare now.