HC Deb 07 March 1973 vol 852 cc406-7
28. Mr. Thomas Cox

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many letters he has now received from residents living in the Greater London area concerning the Layfield Report: and what replies he has sent.

Mr. Rippon

I have received very few letters specifically concerned with the Layfield Report since it was published on 19th February, but I receive many letters every day on the various issues in London with which the report is concerned.

Mr. Cox

The right hon. and learned Gentleman is, therefore, fully aware of the deep concern which many Londoners are now expressing on certain comments made in the report, especially those applying to employment, housing and transport, but will he give a firm assurance to the House and to Londoners that there will be no attempt to bulldoze through that report, and that every Londoner will be given a fair opportunity to express his views and his concern about points made in the report?

Mr. Rippon

Of course. That was the object in publishing the report, as many hon. Members on both sides of the House asked me to do, at the earliest opportunity. I published the report with certain general statements of the Government's view. But there ought to be a lot of public discussion of the very important issues that are raised in the report.

The hon. Gentleman will remember that when the old London County Council development plan was first put forward, years ago, after the report was received it was two years before it was published, with a thousand modifications. I have adopted this unusual procedure in order that the public should express their views.

Mr. Grylls

With regard to the housing aspect of the report, will my right hon. and learned Friend use his influence to dissuade the Opposition from their proposal to nationalise all rented housing and land, which would result in fewer rented houses and less land being available to London?

Mr. Rippon

That is not a very con-structive or helpful proposal, but it would be unfair to saddle the official Opposition with such an absurd suggestion.

Mr. Driberg

Is the right hon. and learned Gentleman aware that there is widespread public concern at the news that the implementation of this report would mean the destruction of 15,000 houses? Is he also aware that that destruction and the enormous expense of the motorway box plan could be avoided if the very sensible and ingenious plan referred to in Question No. 61 today were adopted instead?

Mr. Rippon

I doubt that we shall reach Question No. 61. But I am prepared to reply on this point. At this stage it is impossible to estimate the number of houses that might be affected by any particular road construction, because all that I have done in certain circumstances is to indicate decisions in principle. There will have to be a lot of further discussion.and, if necessary, further public inquiries on any detailed line of any route.