General Improvement Areas

HC Deb 26 January 1972 vol 829 cc1391-2

44. Mr. Chapman

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

Mr. Channon

A total of 125 have been declared in England.

Mr. Chapman

That is a very welcome answer. Does my hon. Friend agree that from every point of view—social, political and economic—renovation is far better than demolition, and will he expedite general improvement areas in the cities so that the near-slum areas of today become the modern, fashionable areas of tomorrow?

Mr. Channon

I agree that we should do everything we can to stimulate general improvement areas. That is the general view on both sides of the House.

Mr. Kaufman

Is the Minister aware that in the city of Manchester many more such areas could be declared, thus assisting us in our grave housing difficulties and alleviating the grave unemployment among construction workers? Will he at last relent and extend the provisions of the Housing Act, 1971 to the city?

Mr. Channon

The provisions of the Act were limited to the development areas and other assisted areas, and the hon. Gentleman knows the reasons that prompted that decision.