§ 16. Mr. Mappasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs when he will be able to indicate his decision whether land at Sholver and for overspill at Buckstones Road can be included for housing development by the Oldham local authority.
§ Sir K. JosephThe council knows that I accept that the land at Sholver is suitable for housing: the formal documents are being prepared. I have no information regarding the possible purchase of this site by the council.
787 My decision on the Oldham-Buck-stones Road Compulsory Purchase Order will be issued within the next few days.
§ Mr. MappI appreciate the last comment of the Minister, but is it not a fact that the overspill project has been delayed for nearly six months, and is it not also a fact that local authorities because of these delays enter into private arrangements when, if the impetus of the machinery of his Department was increased, there would not be such delays on either side?
§ Sir K. JosephI cannot accept that at all. The inquiry concerned was in July. We have an elaborate procedure to go through, laid down by Parliament, to reconcile all interests, and I think that we have been fairly prompt in this case.