HC Deb 06 December 1966 vol 737 cc1138-9
21. Mr. Hunt

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what application he has received from the Greater London Council for permission to acquire land compulsorily in the London Borough of Bromley; and what reply he has sent.

Mr. Mellish

None, Sir.

Mr. Hunt

If and when he receives such application, will the hon. Gentleman remind the G.L.C. that Bromley has a very long waiting list of its own and that the more imaginative and intensive use of land within the inner London area would be a far more constructive solution to its problems than the kind of bluster and bullying that Bromley Council has had to face in recent weeks?

Mr. Mellish

I understand that there are to be further discussions between Bromley and the G.L.C. this month, and I should have thought that statements of the kind just made by the hon. Member would do more harm than good in advance of those discussions.

Mr. Lipton

Is it not a fact that the Tory-controlled London Borough of Bromley has shown itself to have a selfish, dog-in-the-manger attitude towards the general housing needs of London's population, showing that the council there lacks social conscience?

Mr. Mellish

One fact is clear. The problems of the inner London boroughs are so immense that they will need all the help they can get from Bromley or anywhere else.