HC Deb 12 November 1980 vol 992 cc472-3
17. Mr. Hal Miller

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment when he expects to reach a decision on the terms of transfer of development corporation properties to local authorities in the case of second generation new towns.

Mr. Stanley

My hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State hopes to discuss transfer terms with the Association of District Councils before Christmas.

Mr. Miller

Does the Minister understand that the local authorities—both district and county councils—cannot agree to accept the transfer of these properties until the terms are known? Is he aware that there is an increasing need for transfers in areas such as Redditch where a terminal date is already set for the winding-up of the development corporation?

Mr. Stanley

As my hon. Friend may know, I am planning to visit Redditch early next month. I can assure him that it is the Government's firm intention to produce a fair basis of transfer both to taxpayers and to ratepayers. I hope that we shall be able to reach an agreed basis to enable transfers to take place on the due date, 1 April 1982.

Mr. Graham

Bearing in mind that the burden of maintaining these properties is only one of the many problems that face the councils of new towns, when will the Minister be prepared to publish the comprehensive Government policy for the future of new towns that he has promised the House more than once?

Mr. Stanley

As the hon. Gentleman will be aware, we have already announced our conclusions on the target population sizes and proposed dissolution dates for the first and second generation new towns. We are left with the remaining third generation towns. My right hon. Friend will wish to make a statement as soon as he can.