HC Deb 05 May 1976 vol 910 cc1285-6
5. Mr. Atkinson

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will now make a statement about the Greater London Development Plan and any further modifications he intends to make; and if he will announce the future population size he intends to use as a guideline.

Mr. John Silkin

It is too early to make a further statement on the Greater London Development Plan. The objection period expired on 10th March 1976 and I cannot yet comment on the plan. But, more generally, any view of the future of London must include a considered assessment of the future population and development of south-eastern England.

Mr. Atkinson

My right hon. Friend must be aware that he is merely repeating the views expressed by many Ministers before him. He must be aware of the urgency of this matter and the need to reach a conclusion in order to co-ordinate London authorities and the Government. It is time to state clearly the principle that more industry is needed in the outer areas of London. We need an exchange of people whereby those living in the centre of London can move out to jobs outside the capital, while those living outside can come into London to work.

Mr. Silkin

I think that my hon. Friend is—unusually—being a little unfair. A number of objections have been made to the plan and these need to be studied. Because there is a necessary process to be gone through, I hope that my hon. Friend will not press me to consider matters that need to be studied and then commented on. I share his concern—I am a Member for a London constituency, as he is—and what he has said is. in broad terms, absolutely right.

Mr. Geoffrey Finsberg

Does the Minister agree that much of the planning assumption that went into the plan is inaccurate, because no one has yet any assumption of population figures? This is the most important thing for the Government to decide on.

Mr. Silkin

While I understand the question that the hon. Member is putting, I think it is rather an attempt to get me to make an unsuitable reply when a reply should be given in the proper form. The best thing I can do is refer to a statement made by the previous Secretary of State—who is now the Foreign Secretary—in October 1975, and say that the matter is being adequately dealt with.