§ 3.10 p.m.
THE EARL, OF SELKIRKMy Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
§ [The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government where the final decision lies in arranging the settlement of the overspill from the Greater London Authority; and whether it has proved necessary to exercise pressure or compulsion on the local authorities concerned.]
§ THE PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY, MINISTRY OF HOUSING AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT (LORD KENNET)My Lords, the programme to accommodate London overspill includes projects under the New Towns Act which are initiated by central Government and schemes under the Town Development Act which are negotiated between the Greater London Council and the receiving authorities concerned. The agreements to undertake town development schemes have been reached voluntarily, and compulsory powers have never been used.
THE EARL OF SELKIRKMy Lords, I thank the noble Lord for his Answer. I appreciate the importance of dealing with the overspill from London, and the extent of the problem, but is it the case that the noble Lord sees no likelihood of pressure being put upon local authorities to accommodate overspill, particularly bearing in mind the amenities of some areas to which a great deal of importance is attached?
§ LORD KENNETYes, my Lords, that is so. If the noble Earl has any particular areas in mind, perhaps he would let me know about them. The Minister has reserve powers under the Town Development Act to compel unwilling local 1754 authorities to accept overspill. These powers have never been used, and there is little likelihood that they will ever have to be used, for the obvious reason that one would not expect London families to settle down happily in a place which did not want them