HC Deb 12 December 1961 vol 651 cc188-9
3. Mr. Biggs-Davison

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs if he will give the number, and details, of the applications by public authorities, since 1951, to build on the Metropolitan Green Belt within the Chigwell Parliamentary constituency; and what was the result of these applications.

The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Housing and Local Government (Mr. Geoffrey Rippon)

I am afraid that this information is not available.

Mr. Biggs-Davison

Is my hon. Friend aware that many of my constituents will not be wholly satisfied with that reply? There is great anxiety among them, both in the Chigwell Urban District and in the Epping and Ongar Rural District, about what seems to be the increasing tendency of public authorities and institutions to encroach on the Metropolitan Green Belt? Anything that can be done to allay this anxiety will be more welcome than my hon. Friend's answer.

Mr. Rippon

I do not think that my hon. Friend's constituents need be unduly disturbed. They can, of course, get a great deal of information from the registers which the local authorities keep, if they so desire.