HC Deb 18 November 1969 vol 791 cc1091-2
10 and 11. Mr. Boyden

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government (1) what progress is being made in the reclassification of the Eldon Lane group of villages as recommended in the Lichfield Report, a copy of which has been sent to him;

(2) what action he is taking to facilitate progress with the Shildon Urban District Council's plans to rehabilitate their part of the Eldon Lane area and to rebuild there.

Mr. Denis Howell

The matters to which my hon. Friend refers are being considered by the local planning authority, Durham County Council.

Mr. Boyden

Will my hon. Friend take special note of the fact that the Lichfield planning team has surveyed the whole of the Eldon Lane area and has recommended that the whole area is capable of redevelopment and that this will be satisfactory?

Mr. Howell

I will certainly take special note of that and when we receive proposals from the Durham County Council, they will no doubt reflect these considerations.

Mr. Graham Page

Was not that a rather complacent answer from the Minister of State? Would he not encourage the local authority to use the powers which the Government created in the Housing Act, 1969, for creating general improvement areas in these districts?

Mr. Howell

It is possible for grants to be made for general improvement areas, but the proper manner is through the appropriate local authority, in this case Durham County Council. None of my answers is ever complacent.

Mr. Boyden

May I ask my hon. Friend—?

Mr. Speaker

No.

Mr. Boyden

On a point of order. Although Questions Nos. 10 and 11 appear to be similar, they are not. Question No. 10 relates to Bishop Auckland and Question No. 11 to Shildon. May I ask a supplementary question on Question No. 11?

Mr. Speaker

That is not a point of order for the Chair.