§ 12. Mr. Moonmanasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he is now in a position to make a statement on the White Paper relating to new towns.
§ Mr. MoonmanWill my hon. Friend bear in mind that as the 30 new towns have many of the characteristics of large business organisations, the inevitable White Paper and legislation must take into account discussions with the new towns concerned so that any change in the transfer of ownership to housing authorities is adequately and realistically timetabled?
§ Mr. OakesI take my hon. Friend's point. Ministers are considering the comments which are being made on the new towns consultation document. An announcement about new towns policy 1452 should be made in the autumn, although it will not necessarily be in the form of a White Paper.
§ Mr. Michael MorrisIs the Minister aware that although the ratepayers of new towns have to accept that they will subsidise those new towns this year, they are certainly not prepared to subsidise the creation and extension of new towns in the coming year? Will he give an assurance, in the form either of a White Paper or a statement, that the ratepayers in new towns will receive some special help to ensure that no burden whatever is placed on existing ratepayers?
§ Mr. OakesI know of the hon. Gentleman's concern on this matter and I have heard it expressed by a number of hon. Gentlemen who represent the Northamptonshire area. We are examining the rate grant settlement for next year, but I cannot make any promises on this.
§ Mr. SteenAlthough the Minister has understandably been concerned about new towns, will he consider looking at old towns, because a White Paper is needed on them also?
§ Mr. OakesI entirely agree that some of the most urgent problems that we face concerning the environment today are in the old urban areas of social deprivation. I would remind some Conservative Members who are critical of public expenditure that we cannot do anything about these matters without public expenditure.