HC Deb 26 March 1963 vol 674 cc1112-3
32. Mr. Sorensen

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs what are the precise arrangements by which any London green belt land taken for building purposes is compensated by additions larger than the areas taken for development.

Sir K. Joseph

As I stated in reply to the hon. Member on 19th March, I do not think that any special arrangements are necessary. Additional green belt land will be forthcoming from extensions already being proposed by the planning authorities.

Mr. Sorensen

Is the Minister aware that it would be most helpful and encouraging to those who wish to preserve the area of the green belt if he could give some idea of the arrangements which he has in mind to ensure that whenever any portion of the green belt area is taken for development purposes an equal portion will be added, as is the case with the Epping Forest?

Sir K. Joseph

I can assure the hon. Gentleman, and the House, that in due course the approved green belt will be extended, by additional portions being added to it, by very much more than is represented by any of the parts taken away.

Mr. MacColl

Would not the right hon. Gentleman help to allay anxiety about this matter by taking some action to co-ordinate the machinery for doing it? Is he aware that we respect his desire to do this, but we are worried about whether land lost to the green belt area may not be replaced in some cases because the opportunity to do so may be missed?

Sir K. Joseph

The present approved green belt covers 840 sq. miles. There are proposals by the counties round London to add 1,100 sq. miles to that green belt. Those proposals in one form or another are before me, or will be coming before me, and there is therefore ample machinery in being to make sure that what I say conies true.

Sir G. Nicholson

Can my right hon. Friend give an assurance that the areas it is proposed to take in will remain inviolate?

Sir K. Joseph

It is because we want to be able to guarantee that as far as possible into the future that it is so important to establish all the facts before making any area a part of the approved green belt.