§ 16 Mr. Robert Atkinsasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what steps he is taking to continue rehabilitation and redevelopment assistance to those local authorities where new town corporations are to be wound up.
§ Mr. Geoffrey FinsbergI shall be consulting the local authorities concerned about the implications for them of the target dates for winding up the relevant development corporations. I shall, of course, consider any points they raise about future assistance for urban renewal.
§ Mr. AtkinsIs my hon. Friend aware that the Central Lancashire new town has received no official notification of the winding up of the corporation and that no consultation has been carried out with either the Central Lancashire development corporation or the local authorities concerned? Bearing in mind that the leader of Lancashire county council, together with an all-party delegation of boroughs affected by the winding up, is coming to Parliament this afternoon to discuss with Lancashire Members what should happen, has he any message that I can give them?
§ Mr. FinsbergI am perturbed to hear what my hon. Friend says. A letter was sent to the chairman of the development corporation, as is normal and customary. I cannot be responsible for non-delivery, but I can firmly assure the House that the normal courtesies were rightly observed.
§ Mr. NewensIs the Minister aware that many residents of new towns are now becoming convinced that the Government are prepared to discriminate against them? If there is to be any rehabilitation, or if further funds are to become available, what hope is there that the Government will behave any better than they did in the shameful matter of the settlement of the section 10 claims?
§ Mr. FinsbergI have a feeling that the hon. Gentleman's supplementary question was designed to follow question 18.
§ Mr. NewensNo, it was not.
§ Mr. FinsbergHowever, I am glad to answer it. I believe that the Government are doing all that they can to assist, within the resources available.