§ 29. Mr. W. O. J. Robinsonasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what progress he has made during the last year with the major schemes for new and expanded towns under the New Towns Act.
§ The Joint Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Housing and Local Government (Mr. James MacColl)Since last July my right hon. Friend has designated three new towns, Peterborough, Northampton and Warring-ton. Public inquiries into objections 251 to the Dawley-Wellington-Oaken-gates and Ipswich new town proposals have been held, and my right hon. Friend awaits the inspectors' report. He is considering the consultants' study of the proposed Central Lancashire new town and its impact on North-East Lancashire. In addition, Milton Keynes new town was designated in January, 1967.
§ Mr. RobinsonAs so many local authorities can look only to new and expanded towns for the solution of their housing problems, may I ask my hon. Friend to endeavour to improve on the splendid record of the Government in respect of new towns?
§ Mr. MacCollWe have started a whole new generation of new towns, with new and varied ideas of how to use the machinery. This is a very valuable experiment with which we want to push ahead as quickly as possible.