§ 5. Mr. Shinwellasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs whether he has come to a decision on the amalgamation of the new towns of Peterlee and Newton Aycliffe; what is the nature of the new personnel responsible for administration; and whether the local authorities in the area have been consulted.
§ Sir K. JosephI am now consulting the local authorities on the proposal to appoint one board of eight people to be the corporations of these towns. Seven of the eight are already members of one or other of those corporations.
§ Mr. ShinwellIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Easington Council, which is closely associated with certain aspects of administration in the town of Peterlee, has not yet been consulted? Why not appoint a member of Easington Council to the joint corporation of Peterlee because of the need for harmonising relations between the two bodies?
§ Sir K. JosephIt is important to harmonise these relations, but one has to cover a wide range of subjects in the membership in order to make sure that there is someone with knowledge of 210 each of the most important aspects. While local representation is very important, we have to keep a balance.
12. Mr. Slaterasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs whether, in view of the announcement that one development corporation will be responsible for the new towns of Newton Aycliffe and Peterlee, he will give consideration to the appointment of a resident of Newton Aycliffe to this corporation.
§ Sir K. JosephI think it important that some members of a new town corporation should live near to the town, but I cannot undertake always to find one who lives in the town. Much must depend on getting the right balance of experience and qualifications on the board.
Mr. SlaterIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that, although the idea of setting up one board to cover these two new towns has been well-accepted by the local authorities in that area, the composition of the board so far is shocking and an insult? Surely it is not too much to ask that someone be appointed to the board from Newton Aycliffe itself? Is it not possible to appoint to the board a resident of one of the new towns it will cover?
§ Sir K. JosephI am in consultation with the local authorities concerned, and I hope that when the final decisions are made they will not be greeted by any such comments as the hon. Gentleman indicates.
Mr. SlaterA new board is to be set up and five members of the original board from one development corporation are appointed to it, but only two of the original board for the other new town. Surely the 13,700 residents of Newton Aycliffe have a right to representation on the new board?
§ Sir K. JosephI would prefer not to go into details of personalities while consultations are going on.