§ 6. Mr. SteenTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what estimate he has made of the amount of additional housing that will be required in (a) Devon and (b) the south-west by the year 2010.
§ Mr. BaldryNone at the present. We expect to publish, next year, regional planning guidance which will set out the broad scale and distribution of housing provision to be made in development plans in the south-west for a 15-year period.
§ Mr. SteenThe Earth summit highlighted the problem of over-population and its effect on the environment, and that problem exists in Devon, where the population has increased more and more, not because of an absence of family planning, but simply because successive structure plans have allowed too much housing there. Will the Minister confirm that, in the new Devon structure plan, which is under review, he will not impose more houses on the area just because his officials want him to do so but will do what the local district councils want? Will he also ensure that, if there are any new housing developments, it is the infrastructure that counts and that too many houses are not built, disregarding—
§ Madam SpeakerOrder. The hon. Gentleman must ask his question and not make statements.
§ Mr. BaldryHousing provision for Devon from 1989 to 2001 was discussed, as my hon. Friend knows, at an examination in public held earlier this year. I shall carefully consider the report of the panel conducting the examination in public and all representations and objections, including my hon. Friend's, before making a decision on the amount of housing provision for Devon until 2001.