HC Deb 25 July 1967 vol 751 c315
30. Mr. Whitaker

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government when the study of the Barnsbury environmental area will be completed; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Willey

The study is making good progress. The study team hopes to present its report to the Greater London Council, the London Borough of Islington and my right hon. Friend in the autumn. An earlier interim report was circulated widely to interested associations in the area, who were asked for their comments on it and on the problems to be tackled in the main study. Subsequently the team has described its work in progress to a meeting of Islington Borough Councillors and is having useful and constructive discussions with the Barnsbury Association.

Mr. Whitaker

While thanking my right hon. Friend for that Answer, may I ask him to ensure the maximum democratic participation by the local inhabitants concerning their environment?

Mr. Willey

I can assure my hon. Friend that we are most anxious that this should be done. As he knows, in the White Paper we have emphasised the importance of participation, and this is an experiment in that participation.