HL Deb 24 February 1971 vol 315 cc1058-60

2.36 p.m.

LORD GARNSWORTHY

My 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 whether they are satisfied that the expansion of Haverhill, West Suffolk, is proceeding satisfactorily and can they indicate whether the transfer of business enterprises to the town will continue at a rate that will ensure steady and balanced development.]

LORD SANDFORD

My Lords, as with all overspill schemes, the town development scheme at Haverhill is affected by fluctuations in the rate at which new jobs can be created. Firms cannot be compelled to move to expanding towns. Subject to the priority requirements of the assisted areas, however, the Government will do all they can to ensure that the Haverhill scheme proceeds at a satisfactory pace. I am sure that the Greater London Council and the local authorities concerned have a similar objective

LORD GARNSWORTHY

My Lords, I thank the Minister for that reply. I should like to ask whether the Government accept an ultimate population target for Haverhill of 30,000. I should also like to ask whether the Minister is aware that at the present time there are nearly 400 newly built houses standing empty at Haverhill; that some of them have been empty, as I am told, for over 18 months, and that they are but part of the 900 houses standing empty in West Suffolk, according to Brigadier Aldous as reported in the Suffolk Free Press on February 18? Does the Minister consider that such a number of empty houses has a reassuring effect on people who have moved from a totally different environment?

Further, is he aware that according to a statement made by the clerk of the Haverhill Urban District Council, reported in the Haverhill Echo on February 18, that at the end of the year, and set against all needs, this would leave a surplus of 259 houses; that is to say, that at the end of the year it is anticipated that there will still be a surplus of 259 houses? I wonder whether I might—

SEVERAL NOBLE LORDS

Oh!

LORD SANDFORD

My Lords, I am not aware of all those points, but I am aware of the two most relevant; namely, that there are at present 400 empty houses belonging to the G.L.C. at Haverhill and it is likely that there still will be 250 empty at the end of this year; and that is far more than is really necessary. Of course a pool of, say, 100 houses would be desirable in an overspill scheme of this kind. I think the first supplementary question that the noble Lord asked me in that rather long series of questions related to the population that is envisaged. The more precise factor is that the plans approved involve the creation of 4,500 new houses. That is the scheme that is being operated on at the moment.

LORD GARNSWORTHY

My Lords, again I thank the Minister for that further information. I should like to ask him who is to pay for the cost of these houses while they are standing empty. I should like at the same time to ask him whether he does not agree that the attraction to Haverhill would be greatly enhanced if the lines of communication with neighbouring towns were improved? Does he not think it regrettable that the town was deprived of a railhead some time ago? Anyone depending on public transport wishing to make—

SEVERAL NOBLE LORDS

Order, order!

LORD GARNSWORTHY

My Lords, it is, I think, part of the same question. I am quite prepared to put another supplementary.

THE LORD PRIVY SEAL (EARL JELLICOE)

My Lords, I think it would be more in accordance with our normal procedure if the noble Lord would put his supplementaries a little more briefly, and perhaps make them rather fewer in number.

LORD SANDFORD

My Lords, I do not think that any but the first of those supplementaries is really relevant to the Question originally on the Order Paper. In answer to the first supplementary question, I can confirm that these houses belong to the G.L.C., and the fact that they are lying empty does impose a considerable financial burden on them.

LORD LINDGREN

My Lords, is it not a fact that the G.L.C. make this a charge against the housing account, so that the tenants of London are having to pay increased rents because of it?

LORD SANDFORD

My Lords, my right honourable friend is not responsible for the detailed operation of the G.L.C. housing account.

LORD GARNSWORTHY

My Lords, may I ask the Minister whether he does not think that there is urgent need for improvement in the lines of communication? The bus service is very deficient.

LORD SANDFORD

My Lords, that is quite another question. If the noble Lord would like to put a Question down, I would certainly be ready to deal with it.