§ 2.40 p.m.
§ [The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government whether the conclusions of the late Government relating to the future development of South-East England, and embodied in the South-East Study, are accepted by the present Government; and, if not, by what date a statement of their new proposals can be expected.]
§ THE PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY, BOARD OF TRADE (LORD RHODES)My Lords, the South-East's potential economic growth must be used for the benefit of the country as a whole, and its problems considered within the framework of national planning. A reexamination of the policies and conclusions on which the previous Govern- 436 ment's White Paper was based has been put in hand. It will clearly be some time before the Government will be ready to announce the results of their review, but action to meet the immediate, pressing needs of the area will not be delayed in the meantime.
VISCOUNT GAGEMy Lords, whilst expressing some measure of thanks to the noble Lord for that reply, may I ask, further, whether it is intended that the Local Government Boundary Commission shall visit the South-East at the date we are given to understand they will—namely, the beginning of the New Year? The noble Lord is no doubt aware that, in the South-East Study, as presented by the late Government, some recommendations were made for the very considerable expansion of certain specified towns. Would he not think it a difficult matter to make worthwhile suggestions for the new boundaries of those towns until it is known whether or not they are going to be so expanded?
§ LORD RHODESThe noble Viscount has raised an interesting point, but I would point out that paragraph 16 of the White Paper, where the consequences of the Government's initial conclusions were mentioned, says:
Acceptance of the broad objectives will have important implications on policy in a number of related fields".Those fall into three categories:First, the pattern of development in the South-East; second, the problem of employment growth; and, third, the implications for the country as a whole.I am afraid I cannot give the noble Viscount a definite answer to the first point that he raised, about the visit of the Boundary Commission to the area that he mentioned, but I will see that his remarks are passed on.
§ LORD HASTINGSMy Lords, may I ask the noble Lord what precisely was meant in his original Answer by "the immediate, pressing needs of the area" about which action would be taken?
§ LORD RHODESYes, of course, my Lords. It refers to the housing of the people in London, who are now suffering in consequence of the neglect of many years.
§ LORD HASTINGSMay I ask the noble Lord whether, by "the neglect of 437 many years", he means the reduction of the shortage of houses in London from 350, 000 in 1951 to 150, 000 in 1964?
§ LORD RHODESI meant exactly what I said, because the size of the problem was a big one and the remedy was not adequate.
§ LORD SILKINMy Lords, may I ask what is the nature of the survey which is being carried on? Is it done by Government Departments, or is it proposed to set up another Committee?
§ LORD RHODESNo, my Lords, it is the officials of the Departments concerned under the leadership of the Department of Economic Affairs.
VISCOUNT GAGEMy Lords, although I see the difficulty of giving an answer about the Boundaries Commission, the noble Lord will appreciate that those of us who are concerned in these matters may be put in a position of considerable difficulty. Can we be assured that note will be taken of these difficulties and, possibly, some special instructions given?
§ LORD RHODESMy Lords, I should not like to commit myself on the question of instructions, but I will certainly commit myself to saying that note will be taken.