HC Deb 14 July 1964 vol 698 cc999-1000
16. Mr. Boston

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs what plans he has to amend the proposals in the South-East Study and White Paper, so that the Isle of Sheppey can be brought into the revised plan and form a major part of it.

Mr. Corfield

The Kent County Council has made proposals of this nature in the statement of its views on the Study which it has submitted to my right hon. friend. Its views will be taken into account when final decisions on the Study proposals are reached.

Mr. Boston

Is the Minister aware that people will be relieved to hear that the matter is being considered? Does he recall that the Kent Development Plan, which was published in November of last year, very strongly urged the incorporation of Sheppey in development in the Kent area and that that Plan was published some months before the South-East Study was published on 19th March of this year? Therefore, does not the hon. Gentleman feel that a great deal of time has elapsed and that the moment has come to make a more positive statement?

Mr. Corfield

My right hon. Friend has, as I am sure the hon. Gentleman knows, already indicated that he is prepared to approve the town map which allows for an increase in population from 16,000 to 41,000 and the allocation of very large areas for industrial development.