§ 29. Dame Irene Wardasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs whether he has yet approved the North Tyneside Development Plan, embodying the creation of Gosforth as a shopping centre.
§ Sir K. JosephNo plan for this purpose is before my right hon. Friend. All that he has is a plan providing for an addition to the existing shopping centre in Gosforth. My hon. Friend possibly has in mind more extensive proposals which, I understand the Gosforth Urban District Council is investigating.
§ Dame Irene WardIs my hon. Friend aware that a most alarming document stating that the Minister is about to approve a plan which would almost eliminate old Gosforth has been circulated by the local authority under the signature of the town clerk? Could my hon. Friend find out why any action is necessary at the moment when we are confidently expecting next month a report by the Boundary Commission? Is he aware that this is a most peculiar situation and that it ought to be dealt with at once by his right hon. Friend.
§ Sir K. JosephI think that my hon. Friend must be referring to a very tentative and relatively large-scale plan which the urban district council has started to 763 consider but which could not be made effective without reference to the county and to my right hon. Friend. These processes of forward consideration must continue even while the Local Government Commission is at work.