§ 21. Mr. Fowlerasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government whether he has made a decision yet on the extension of the Dawley New Town area to include Wellington and Oakengates.
§ Mr. GreenwoodNo decision has yet been taken on whether to extend Dawley New Town to take in Wellington and Oakengates.
§ Mr. Fowleris my right hon. Friend aware of the urgency of taking this decision both because of the effects of the planning freeze in the area and because of the desirability of moving as many people and firms as possible out of Birmingham in as short a time as possible?
§ Mr. GreenwoodYes, I realise the importance of this, but it is an extremely complicated problem. I hope that my hon. Friend will bear in mind that the four-year development programme of Dawley has three years still to run, so we have a little time to make the right decision.
§ Mr. Christopher PriceIs not my right hon. Friend aware that this and other overspill schemes in the West Midlands area are of great interest to Birmingham Members and their constituents, and that tens of thousands of people in Birmingham are still waiting for a house?
§ Mr. GreenwoodI am well aware of that, and my hon. Friend the Joint Parliamentary Secretary recently visited Birmingham to discuss these matters with them.