HC Deb 16 February 1972 vol 831 cc396-7
6. Mr. Sutcliffe

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many general improvement areas have been designated since September, 1971.

Mr. Amery

In England 39, Sir.

Mr. Sutcliffe

Is my right hon. Friend satisfied with this rate of progress? Will he do all he can to encourage a faster rate of progress in view of the transformation that these areas can bring about?

Mr. Amery

No, Sir, I am certainly not satisfied. I think it is a good start, but I want to see many more local authorities follow the lead of those which have already embarked on this well worth while policy of improving wholly residential areas.

Mr. Kaufman

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that in the City of Manchester, where we have one of the gravest housing problems in the entire country and where a large number of building workers are out of work, we could develop many more of these areas if he would only abandon his obduracy and include us in the provisions of the Housing Act, 1971?

Mr. Amery

The hon. Gentleman can already get a good deal done with the existing generous financial support given by the central Government, through the declaration of general improvement areas and with ordinary improvements.