HL Deb 20 November 1973 vol 346 cc902-4

3.2 p.m.

LORD HYLTON

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 will establish a Development Corporation under the New Towns Act to deal effectively and imaginatively with the redevelopment of redundant docklands East of Tower Bridge.

THE PARLIAMENTARY UNDERSECRETARY OF STATE, DEPARTMENT OF THE ENVIRONMENT (BARONESS YOUNG)

The possibility of establishing a special agency for the dock-lands is being discussed with the Greater London Council and the local authorities concerned. The New Towns Act 1965 would not apply and special legislation would be required.

LORD HYLTON

My Lords, while I am grateful to my noble friend for that reply, may I ask her whether she is aware that this area includes 5,000 acres, which is mainly in the hands of the Port of London Authority and the Gas Board? Further, is my noble friend aware that the Greater London Council and no less than five London boroughs are involved? Is there not great urgency to bring some help towards the easing of London's housing shortage?

BARONESS YOUNG

Yes, my Lords, I am aware of the facts as my noble friend has stated them and the matter is, as I said, currently under discussion. My right honourable friend the Secretary of State is engaged in discussions with the London boroughs. I can tell my noble friend that 177 acres have in fact been released in advance for housing.

BARONESS STOCKS

My Lords, am I right in thinking that the G.L.C. is at this moment pursuing a very comprehensive development plan for that particular area?

BARONESS YOUNG

My Lords, the position is that the Department of the Environment and the Greater London Council jointly, in April, 1971, commissioned Messrs. R. Travers Morgan and Partners to carry out a Study of the redevelopment, and it is the proposals contained in that Study which are the subject of the discussions now going on between the Secretary of State for the Environment and the London boroughs.

BARONESS STOCKS

My Lords, may I say that the G.L.C. are at the moment getting on with it in a big way?

BARONESS YOUNG

My Lords, I think the noble Baroness has been misinformed on this matter. In the area under discussion, the various plans are still at the stage of public discussion and of discussion with the local authorities.

LORD HALE

My Lords, in view of the fact that we are being told that grants of development certificates may give a bonus of something up to £3 million or £4 million to development companies, is not the proposal made by the noble Lord in putting his Question one which merits very serious consideration in full conjunction with the G.L.C., who might well welcome some special development agency, particularly if it were to carry a special grant?

BARONESS YOUNG

My Lords, I entirely agree with the noble Lord that this is a very important matter. The point he has raised, which is contained in the Question, is currently under discussion.

LORD DAVIES OF LEEK

My Lords, would the noble Baroness see whether an investigation can be made into this sudden outburst of fires contiguous to the area? In the last few years I believe that five large fires have taken place. In some mysterious way five large warehouses which were derelict have become a mass of flames, and it may be worth while looking into these outbreaks in depth.

BARONESS YOUNG

My Lords, the Question before us refers to a possible development corporation for the dockland area, and I think that the question put by the noble Lord, Lord Davies, is really rather wide of that.

LORD HYLTON

My Lords, would my noble friend agree that the process of public consultation and any reports that have been commissioned have really very little to do with the question of who finally gets on with the job and produces the housing?

BARONESS YOUNG

My Lords, who ultimately develops the docklands area, whether it is a development corporation or some other body, is a matter still to be decided. It is under discussion.

BARONESS STOCKS

My Lords, may I ask Her Majesty's Government whether they would organise a tour, which Members of your Lordships' House would be invited to join, in order to see the development which is now going on most imaginatively and very successfully?

BARONESS YOUNG

My Lords, I think it is always open to anyone to go and look at these things if they so wish.

BARONESS STOCKS

My Lords, I wish they would.