HC Deb 18 March 1968 vol 761 c27
43. Dr. Gray

asked the Minister of Technology whether he will seek powers to make a financial grant towards the construction of a city in the sea off the coast from Great Yarmouth.

Mr. Fowler

No, Sir, while commending the enterprise shown by the authors of this exciting concept, I do not think that a clear case for constructing such a city has yet been demonstrated.

Dr. Gray

Even if my hon. Friend is not prepared to make finance available for this imaginative Pilkington project, will he say what long-range projects he has in mind to cope with our escalating population towards the end of the century?

Mr. Fowler

I am delighted to see my right hon. Friend the Minister of Housing and Local Government here on the Front Bench. I think that that is a question for him.

Mr. Ridsdale

As the Cabinet are all at sea, would not it be better to put some suitable Cabinet offices at sea?

Sir H. Legge-Bourke

Would the Minister bear in mind that most East Anglian Members are far more anxious to see the Government giving adequate fiscal encouragement to industry to complete the development of existing towns rather than have a project of this kind?

Mr. Fowler

We are certainly well aware of that and share that view.