§ 22. Mr. Ellis Smithasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs what response has been made to his Deparment's circular sent to local authorities concerning the planting of more trees, and the cleaning of industrial cities and towns; and what further action he intends to take in this connection.
§ Sir K. JosephIt is difficult to measure the response to the circular issued in 1956 about planting more trees, but there are indications of increasing interest. As regards cleaning industrial cities and towns, local authorities for many industrial areas have sent my right hon. Friend their plans for establishing smoke control areas, and he will be publishing this information shortly.
§ Mr. Ellis SmithDoes the Parliamentary Secretary agree that when it comes to a question of the need to increase productivity and increase output, which means that the working classes must work harder, there is great drive at modern jet speed, but that when it comes to improving the localities where they live we travel at stage coach speed? Will he consult his right hon. Friend with a view to sending out another circular in order that this matter can now be treated as one of extreme urgency and so that we can keep pace 199 with the way the world is moving in improving the areas where people live and work?
§ Sir K. JosephI think as useful as a circular is the example given by Norwich and by the hon. Gentleman's own area of Burslem where, as a result of local initiative, the city centres are being cleaned up.