33. Mrs. Butlerasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs what representations have been made to him to relax restrictions on house building in the London green belt; and what has been his reply.
§ Sir K. JosephI have received no general representations of this kind; but I have received many appeals against refusals of permission to allow building in the Metropolitan green belt and its proposed extensions.
Mrs. ButlerIs the right hon. Gentleman aware of the very great concern among people who care about the health, amenities and planning of the Metropolitan area at the suggestions which have been made in many quarters, including the Press, that the green belt should be nibbled away for house building? Will he give an assurance that he will not yield to any such temptation and that he will maintain the green belt as it is?
§ Sir K. JosephI have made plain that it is the Government's policy not to abandon the green belt.
§ Mr. AwberyBut that is what the Minister is doing.
§ Mr. M. StewartThis is an important matter and I wish to press the Minister about it. He will know that it is being suggested that his Ministry is considering not, of course, the general abandonment of the green belt but a willingness to make exceptions here and there. Since his predecessor, the present Home Secretary, condemned even that policy, will he make clear that he is not considering anything of the sort?
§ Sir K. JosephI have said again and again that the Government do not intend to solve the housing problem by slashing the green belt. But there is a constant stream of proposals to develop individual places—often by one house, often more—in different parts of the green belt. These are considered on their merits, and the vast bulk of them are refused.