HC Deb 03 March 1964 vol 690 cc1110-1
20. Mrs. Butler

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs what arrangements he is making for speeding-up the research studies of the joint urban planning group, so that reports may be issued without delay.

Mr. Corfield

My right hon. Friend and his right hon. Friend the Minister of Transport hope to issue advice to local authorities on parking and traffic management policies soon. In the meantime the research studies on the huge problems both of traffic and of obsolescent; in towns, which are concerned with the longer term issues, will proceed as quickly as possible.

Mrs. Butler

Since there are multitudinous schemes of development and redevelopment both planned and going on here and all over the country quite unrelated to one another or to any form of regional scheme, does the Minister realise that the results of these studies are requires here and now before the whole face of the country is changed irrevocably? Can he speed up these studies?

Mr. Corfield

Of course, my right hon. Friend realises the necessity of speed. The hon. Lady and the House must bear in mind that priority in many of these towns is slum clearance and that it will be some little time before the redevelopment of these twilight areas is appropriate. I would also ask her to bear in mind that once this advice is available, it does not follow that the internal arrangements of one town has any regional connection with the internal arrangements of a neighbouring town.