§ Mr. Spearingasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what permissions he has given in the last month to development undertaken, or grants made by, the London Dockland Development Corporation.
§ Mr. Giles ShawSince the beginning of April my Department has approved four proposals by the London Dockland Development Corporation: first, the phased purchase from the London borough of Southwark of the Downtown estates for private sector redevelopment and rehabilitation; secondly, the letting of an annual contract for site investigations in the urban development area; thirdly, the payment of a rent grant under the Inner Urban Area Act to a roofing firm in Wapping; and, fourthly, a reconstruction of Thames Road, Silvertown.
§ Mr. SpearingDoes the Minister agree that he makes other requirements on less spectacular expenditures? Will he examine these and ensure that only those that are likely to produce local disagreement are referred to him, not matters that should be within the remit of the dockland joint committee, as it was, or the LDDC as it now is?
§ Mr. ShawI understand the hon. Gentleman's comment to relate to the extent to which my Department has control over capital expenditure and revenue spending within the LDDC. It is our intention to ensure that public money is spent effectively. That is the critical examination that I am sure he wishes to apply.
§ Mr. SquireWill my hon. Friend confirm that many Londoners who have applied to purchase housing in the London Dockland Development Corporation area have been turned down because they do not live within the area? Does he agree that that shows that there is a large and untapped demand for housing in London that is not being met by local authorities?
§ Mr. ShawMy hon. Friend is correct. Our first intention, and that of the corporation, was to provide housing for those who live within the area. It is important to note that by 10 May, 270 homes on the Beckton housing development had been sold, 119 of them to Newham council tenants.