§ 16. Mr. Shinwellasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs whether he has reached a decision on the number of houses the Easington Rural District Council may build under the slum clearance scheme.
§ Mr. H. BrookeAt a meeting held at the Ministry last month, representatives of the Easington Rural District Council, as the right hon. Gentleman knows, put forward a case for more slum replacement houses to he built in existing villages, and fewer in Peterlee new town, than the numbers originally agreed with the Durham County Council as local planning authority. I believe that the rural district council in suggesting these changes has under-estimated the rate at which the new town development corporation is likely to build in the future, and I am asking it to reconsider its case in the light of the figures produced at that meeting on the corporation's behalf.
§ Mr. ShinwellIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that he is misinformed about the proceedings at that meeting, which I myself attended? Is he aware that we have no desire to reduce the number of buildings in the new town of Peterlee but that we wish to see the number increased? Is he aware that the rural district council is becoming very annoyed with him because of his decision. having regard to the needs of the community? Is he further aware 942 that all he is doing is to increase my votes at the next election? What good will that do him?
§ Mr. BrookeWe all appreciate the presence of the right hon. Gentleman. I did not realise that his continued presence here was in danger. Under the present arrangements, there is provision for 250 houses to be built for slum clearance at Easington or Peterlee, and I do not think that that is an inadequate allocation.