§ 18. Mr. Ellis Smithasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs what proposals he has to improve all cities and towns in the industrial areas, to institute a national cleaning campaign and to encourage the planting of trees, shrubs, plants and grass.
§ Sir K. JosephMy right hon. Friend will continue to encourage local authorities to improve their towns and cities, by redevelopment and refurbishing of old property, by planting, suppression of litter and vigorous use of the powers of the Clean Air Act.
§ Mr. Ellis SmithDoes not the Minister agree that thousands of people think that the slow progress in this 757 respect is a disgrace to us all? Is he prepared to consider consulting his right hon. Friend with a view to putting some drive behind this movement? Will he consider appointing a delegation to see what is being done in Plymouth—and what is being done in Russia and China—in order that we can make similar progress?
§ Sir K. JosephThe hon. Gentleman might, in fairness, have added the case of his own constituency, where a great act of local initiative has, I hope, set a standard for many other authorities to rival. I do not think that there is any case either for complacency about progress, or for calling it a disgrace. We are making steady progress in all these fields.