HC Deb 29 May 1962 vol 660 cc1144-5
23. Mr. W. Yates

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs whether he has completed his study of the suitability of Dawley as a site for a new town for the relief of congestion in the Birmingham area;and whether he will make a statement.

Dr. Hill

Yes, Sir. Having considered the report made to me by Mr. Sheppard Fidler I believe that a satisfactory new town could be built at Dawley to include ultimately 80,000 to 90,000 people, of whom I hope that over 50,000 could come from Birmingham. The building of a new town here will have its difficulties, but it will make minimum demands on agricultural land.

I have therefore decided to designate a site for a large new town at Dawley, subject to what may emerge from the necessary consultations and consideration of objections. I propose to start consulting the local authorities concerned at once.

I should like to take this opportunity of thanking Mr. Sheppard Fidler for his most valuable report and the Corporation of Birmingham for agreeing to make his services available.

Mr. Yates

It is not very often that I am able to congratulate the Government, but in this case they have taken an extremely courageous and wise decision. Is my right hon. Friend aware that to use, for this new city, land which was made derelict as a result of the first Industrial Revolution, is a splendid idea? Is my right hon. Friend quite certain that this new city will provide sufficient employment for all the people in the area?

Dr. Hill

I am grateful to my hon. Friend for what he has said. This site has involved problems and a great deal of expense but, on balance, it has been thought to be a wise step. On the second point raised by my hon. Friend, it is certainly our intention to seek to provide sufficient employment there for the whole population. I hope to secure the co-operation of the Birmingham City Council in persuading some of the industry now in that city to move out, thus helping to relieve the congestion in the city.

Mr. J. Silverman

Will the right hon. Gentleman also consult his right hon. Friends, especially the President of the Board of Trade, in order to consider what can be done about shifting industry to the area? When a new population is moved into such an area as this it is vital that industry should also be there, otherwise the new town cannot be a success.

Dr. Hill

I agree entirely with the hon. Member. I shall consult my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade.

Mr. Cleaver

Is my right hon. Friend aware that this news will be greatly welcomed by many of the 50,000 people on the housing list in Birmingham? Can he give any idea when the project is likely to start, and will he bear in mind the absolute necessity for all the local authorities and industry to co-operate in this venture?

Dr. Hill

Yes. I will start immediately on the first stage, which will consist of consultations with the local authorities concerned. As soon as these are completed a draft designation order will be made, to which objection can be taken, and as soon as that phase is over I shall make the designation order either in the original or in a modified form.