§ 1. Mr. Remnantasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government under what circumstances building is permitted in green belts round new towns.
§ The Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs (Mr. Henry Brooke)New building in areas which it is agreed should be defined as green belts is being confined to building for agricultural purposes or other uses appropriate to a rural area, apart from a strictly limited amount of "infilling" or "rounding off". There is no difference for this purpose between a green belt round a new town and one round an old town. I am sending my hon. Friend a copy of a circular on this subject which was sent to local planning authorities by my predecessor.
§ Mr. RemnantAs a result of that Answer, can my right hon. Friend give an assurance that there will be no difference in treatment between a local authority and a development corporation?
§ Mr. BrookeThe local authority is the planning authority, but if there is an appeal made to me I take everything into account and try to give proper weight to all the evidence that is before me and all the knowledge that is available. There is certainly no discrimination in favour of development corporations of new towns.