HL Deb 13 March 1956 vol 196 cc301-2

2.48 p.m.

LORD SILKEN

My Lords, I beg to ask the first Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.

[The Question was as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government—

  1. (1) On what date the City of Coventry Development Plan was submitted to the Minister of Housing and Local Government for approval;
  2. (2) On what date or dates was the public inquiry on the plan held;
  3. (3) On what date did the Minister give his decision.]

THE EARL OF MUNSTER

My Lords, the City of Coventry Development Plan was submitted on December 31, 1951, and the public local inquiry occupied twenty-four days between February 17 and April 1, 1953. My right honourable friend the Minister of Housing and Local Government has not yet completed his examination of the plan but he hopes that a decision will not be long delayed.

LORD SILKEN

My Lords, does the noble Earl not realise that it is four and a quarter years since the plan was first submitted for approval and that it is nearly three years since the inquiry was completed? If this is a matter the Government are really serious about, does he not think that a decision would have been arrived at long ago.

THE EARL OF MUNSTER

My Lords, I wish that the answer I could give was as simple as that. The story is a long and complicated one, but I think I can describe it briefly to the noble Lord. The plan was submitted on December 31, 1951, the Minister having agreed to a request from the Council for a delay of six months under a section of the Town and Country Planning Act, 1947. The public local inquiry was fixed for early 1953, again at the request of the council. There were no fewer than 546 objections, of which I understand 88 were withdrawn, and the local inquiry ended on April 1, 1953. My right honourable friend is now giving very active consideration to the plan which was put to him. Without going into any further great detail, I would commend to the noble Lord that he should study the Adjournment debate which took place in another place on February 6, 1956.

LORD SILKIN

My Lords, I will certainly study the Adjournment debate, but I cannot see anything in the noble Lord's Answer to justify a delay of three years in coming to a decision. I would ask the noble Earl to make the most earnest representations to his right honourable friend, and to ask for a very early decision.

THE EARL OF MUNSTER

My Lords, I will certainly convey the noble Lord's views to my right honourable friend.