HC Deb 20 October 1998 vol 317 cc1067-8
9. Mrs. Ann Winterton (Congleton)

When he last met representatives of the construction industry to discuss future housing developments; and if he will make a statement. [54333]

The Minister for London and Construction (Mr. Nick Raynsford)

My colleagues and I have frequent contacts with the construction industry to discuss a wide range of matters, including future housing developments.

Mrs. Winterton

Bearing in mind the high level of public concern about the location of future housing development, should not the Minister, as a matter of urgency, have talks with the housebuilding industry to discuss how best it can help to regenerate our towns and cities? Would that not be better than waiting for months for Lord Rogers's task force to report?

Mr. Raynsford

I have had frequent meetings in the past 18 months with the housebuilders and other interests to stress the importance of building as much as possible on brown-field sites.

Mrs. Winterton

When was the last occasion?

Mr. Raynsford

The last occasion was yesterday evening. I have to put it to the hon. Lady that, especially by comparison with the previous Government, who failed entirely in their period of office to ensure coherent planning for the housing needs of our country, this Government have done more in the past 18 months than any Government could have been expected to do.

Mr. Barry Gardiner (Brent, North)

Is my hon. Friend aware of the problems encountered by those home owners who apply to leasehold valuation tribunals for the right to manage their own homes? Is he aware that, earlier this summer, one tribunal could not tell the difference between a manager and a managing agent, as a result of which the people concerned were forced to contract with the person who was in prison at that time for defrauding them? Will he investigate the quality of leasehold valuation tribunals and undertake to look into the backlog, which at present in London is running at more than 90 per cent?

Mr. Raynsford

My hon. Friend has shown great ingenuity in extending the boundaries of the construction industry to embrace issues of leasehold reform, but I do not begrudge him that, because he has been an assiduous supporter of leasehold interests and has advocated reform most persuasively throughout the past 18 months. The Government are very serious about this issue. They have given extremely serious attention to it and expect to publish in the near future detailed proposals for consultation, which will deal with a range of issues relating to leasehold, including the future remit and role of leasehold valuation tribunals.

Mr. Simon Burns (West Chelmsford)

Will the Minister confirm that, yesterday, the Deputy Prime Minister issued a statement saying that he strongly welcomed the Environment, Transport and Regional Affairs Committee's report on housing? Is he aware that the Select Committee said that the Government must support local authorities when they restrict the use of green-field sites? How does he square that with his right hon. Friend's decision to force West Sussex to build 13,000 extra homes, despite the opposition of even Labour councillors and his own officials? Does he understand that the rhetoric of the Government has failed to be met by their actions, and that their green credentials are torn to shreds as a result of their ludicrous building programme?

Mr. Raynsford

The hon. Gentleman knows only too well that the issue of West Sussex is subject to legal action. West Sussex challenged the Secretary of State unsuccessfully, but, because it may pursue an appeal, the hon. Gentleman will appreciate that I am not at liberty to say more about that. However, unlike the previous Government, who had a consistent record of allowing development, often against inspectors' decisions, on green-belt land—not just green-field land—this Government have extended the green belt and increased to 60 per cent. the target for development on brown-field sites.