§ 33. Mr. Trewasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what advice he has given to local authorities on collaboration with private enterprise and the voluntary housing movement in the redevelopment of twilight areas.
§ Mr. AmeryAuthorities have been advised of the considerable scope for working with housing associations in general improvement areas, including twilight areas. They have been asked to encourage these associations to buy houses coming on the market and improve or convert and manage them. A number of councils have also initiated joint redevelopment projects of various kinds. I hope that more will follow suit.
§ Mr. TrewI am grateful to my right hon. Friend for that reply. Has he made a study of the American techniques for urban renewal, and has he come to a conclusion on their suitability for use in this country?
§ Mr. AmeryI must apologise for not having made such a study, but on my hon. Friend's advice I shall do so.
§ Mr. Tom BoardmanWill my right hon. Friend encourage other local authorities to follow the example of the Conservative-controlled Leicester City Council in its Clarenden Park scheme, which he has visited?
§ Mr. FreesonI trust that the Minister is aware that there was a working party in the Department looking into the major question of land costs in this connection. Has that working party yet completed its report and made any recommendations which the House might be interested to hear?
§ Mr. AmeryI cannot say off-hand, but, if the hon. Gentleman will put down a Question, I shall look into it.