HC Deb 30 July 1980 vol 989 cc1497-8
7. Dr. Mawhinney

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment when he expects to announce the results of his review of new town policy.

Mr. Stanley

The Government's conclusions on target dates for winding up the development corporations of the first and second generation new towns were stated in my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Bromsgrove and Redditch (Mr. Miller) on 23 June. We expect to announce our conclusions on the third generation new towns before the end of the year.

Dr. Mawhinney

Bearing in mind the uncertainty about how much agricultural land will need to be used, and about whether enough jobs can be created to meet current third generation target figures, will my hon. Friend ensure that that announcement is made as quickly as possible?

Mr. Stanley

I recognise what my hon. Friend says about the need for the maximum degree of certainty. These are important decisions. They affect six major new towns, and they require careful evaluation. We shall do all that we can to produce the results for the third generation as soon as possible before the end of the year.

Mr. Graham

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that there is frustration and despair in the new towns? When the long-delayed and long-awaited policy emerges, will it reflect the opposition that I and the hon. Gentleman's colleague heard at Harlow at a conference on new towns? Is he aware that there is particular hostility to selling commercial and industrial assets and the terms on which Development Corporation housing is likely to be transferred to district councils?

Mr. Stanley

I have almost completed a series of visits to third generation towns, and I have visited towns in the North-East. It is not my view that there is a mood of frustration and despair. Each of the new towns that I visited is making an important contribution to industrial development and the creation of new jobs.