HC Deb 04 November 1970 vol 805 cc1065-7
18. Mr. Skeet

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what are his plans for altering the present control of office development.

26. Mr. Hunt

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what relaxations he proposes to make in the existing controls on office development in the Greater London area.

27. Mr. Tugendhat

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will now make a statement on the Government's policy on the future of office development permits.

Mr. Peter Walker

My review of the operation of the control is not yet completed.

Mr. Skeet

I hope that my right hon. Friend will bear in mind that places such as Bedford depend upon O.D.P.s. I hope that he will consider any applications which come forward from Bedford and Kempston. It would be most useful if he would take these seriously.

Mr. Walker

There is nothing to stop applications coming forward now.

Mr. Tugendhat

I thank the Minister for his reply. May I ask whether he is aware that within the City of London, 25 years after the end of the war, there are still 100 derelict bomb sites, while at the same time the rents of certain prime sites have risen to nearly £25 a square foot? Has not the time come for an urgent review of the matter if the City of London is to be restored to its proper place?

Mr. Walker

This matter is being reviewed, and I hope that in the near future I shall be able to make a statement on this topic. Over the last 18 months there has been quite a substantial increase in the number of permits given to the City of London.

Mr. Lipton

Is there any sense in considering the decontrol asked for by the right hon. Gentlemen's hon. Friends when there are thousands of square feet of office space empty in London?

Mr. Walker

One reason why office space has remained empty in London is the inflationary effect of the present controls.

Sir R. Thompson

Does my right hon. Friend realise that the present legislation runs out in perhaps a year or 18 months, and that, contrary to expectations, its effect has been to drive up office rents in London to impossible levels on account of the restriction? Is not that an argument for abolishing it and letting competition get to work?

Mr. Walker

We are reviewing the effects of control over the years that it has been in operation, and we shall make a statement on the basis of our review of what has happened over the last few years.