HC Deb 28 October 1970 vol 805 cc202-3
15. Dame Irene Ward

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment when the requirements of Killingworth and Cramlington, details of which are in his possession, will be met as part of the regional policy for the Northern Region.

Mr. Graham Page

Upon my recent visit to the Northern Economic Planning Region, the Northumberland County Council put before me a number of matters concerning Killingworth and Cramlington, such as the re-classification of roads, grants for sewerage schemes, the boundaries of the Special Development Area, sports facilities and loan sanctions for joint facilities. I was able to satisfy the Council on some matters; the remainder are being studied. If my hon. Friend will say which she has in mind I shall be happy to write to her about them.

Dame Irene Ward

I thank my hon. Friend for that reply. I will not go into details. Is my hon. Friend aware that it is the Government's business to do something for the development areas? Therefore, as the Northumberland County Council is a jolly good Conservative Council, will he please get on to dealing satisfactorily with its recommendations?

Mr. Page

My hon. Friend will have heard the statement yesterday of my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer. The Government are indeed helping the development areas, and this one in particular.

Mr. Milne

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that if the Conservative Government had done their job in the late '50s and early '60s in regard to the development of Cramlington and Killingworth new towns, the type of Question that he is facing today would not have to be raised?

Mr. Page

We are finding that if the previous Government had done their job in their last period of office—1964 up to the present—we should not be so bothered now.