HC Deb 12 March 1957 vol 566 cc952-3
26. Mrs. Butler

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government how many schemes of town development have been approved since 28th March, 1956.

Mr. Bevins

Approval has been given under Section 4 of the Town Development Act, 1952, to fifteen schemes which involve the payment of contributions by an exporting authority to a receiving district.

Mrs. Butler

Does the Minister realise that the Housing Subsidies Act has had the effect of forcing over-crowded local authorities to depend on these town development schemes for relief, and in view of the very small number of schemes which have been approved—with the great delays there are in approving schemes which have been under consideration for a long time—will he not look again into the whole question of town development grants, and particularly into increasing the Exchequer contribution to these schemes?

Mr. Bevins

I can assure the hon. Lady that my right hon. Friend has this general question of overspill constantly under review, but I would repeat, if I may, that these fifteen schemes have been approved in the period since March, 1956, and, in fact, quite a considerable number of houses are being built in various parts of the country under those schemes.

Mr. W. R. Williams

To deal, once again, more with the particular than the general for a moment, may I ask whether the Minister will agree that Manchester's overspill problem is one which is awaiting the decision of the Cabinet; and as that decision has been awaited now for many years, will he take steps to bring to the notice of the Prime Minister the extreme dissatisfaction felt by all sections of the community in Manchester at this very unreasonable delay?

Mr. Bevins

Much as I should like to add to what my right hon. Friend has said, I am afraid that that does not arise out of this Question.