HC Deb 30 June 1971 vol 820 cc388-9
29. Mr. Tebbit

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment when he now expects to announce a decision on the Waltham Abbey Town Centre Redevelopment Scheme.

The Minister for Local Government and Development (Mr. Graham Page)

Very soon, Sir.

Mr. Tebbit

Is my hon. Friend aware that I very much hope that he means that, because we have heard it before, and this very lovely and prosperous old town is dying for the want of a decision on this scheme? If we can have a decision shortly we can restore it to prosperity again. It is a very important town because, as he knows, the Abbey there holds the body of a previously defeated Harold, and that makes it almost a national monument.

Mr. Page

Yes, indeed, I know the importance of this decision to the town, and I really do mean "very soon".