§ 16. Mr. CranTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how much land in England and Wales now has green belt status; and what was the position 10 years ago.
§ Mr. Colin MoynihanIn 1979 there were about 1.8 million acres of approved green belt in England. Today there are around 4.5 million acres. There is no green belt in Wales.
§ Mr. CranMy hon. Friend and the Government generally are to be congratulated on the doubling of the 994 green belt, in contradistinction to the propaganda that I hear outside the House, according to which one would have thought that the amount of green belt was falling instead of increasing. That said, will my hon. Friend look favourably on any application that he receives from Humberside county council for green belt status, particularly against the background of my constituency of Beverley which now resembles a large building site?
§ Mr. MoynihanI am aware that Humberside county council is discussing the idea with the districts concerned in my hon. Friend's constituency. Subject to the outcome of the discussions, the county council may decide to publish a draft structure plan alteration formally launching the green belt proposal in the spring of next year. My hon. Friend knows that the Department has no formal standing in the matter. I am sure that he appreciates that I cannot express any view at the Dispatch Box today on the merits of the proposal, since that might prejudice my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State's position, should a structure plan alteration come formally before him for consideration.