§ 3. Mr. Danceasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government whether he has yet received a progress report from the Worcestershire County Council on their consideration of the suggested terms of reference and area of search regarding Birmingham's housing needs; and if he will make a statement.
§ The Joint Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Housing and Local Government (Mr. Robert Mellish)Yes, Sir. I hope that the study will be completed in the autumn.
§ Mr. DanceIs the Minister aware that many of my constituents and myself supported the creation of the new town of Redditch on the firm understanding that there would be no further incursion into the green belt? What is to happen about this? Are we to have a vast great conurbation brought into this green belt?
§ Mr. MellishBirmingham has very special problems of overspill and its needs must be recognised. I give an assurance that the views the hon. Gentleman has just expressed, and the views of others, will be taken into account. In any case, I have no doubt that the study will go into such matters.
§ Sir G. NabarroMay we peer into the ministerial mind? Can we be assured that when the study has been completed there will be proposals of overspill, together with attendant maps, and that there will be no secret palaver between the Socialist administration in the part of Birmingham affected and Whitehall?
§ Mr. MellishI give the hon. Gentleman and the House the assurance that there will be no conniving. It is for the authorities to decide for themselves if the results of the study should be published. The hon. Gentleman should know from his experience that in any case, if an area is to be designated, there has to be a public inquiry. Democracy safeguards the interests of all those concerned in this matter.