§ THE LORD BISHOP OF SOUTHWARKMy Lords, I beg leave 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 whether they are satisfied that sufficient progress is being made on the Report of the Public Inquiry into the Greater London Development Plan, and in particular on the proposals for speeding up overspill programmes.
§ LORD GARNSWORTHYMy Lords, my right honourable friend the Secretary of State for the Environment has all the recommendations of the Layfield Panel of Inquiry into the Greater London Development Plan under active consideration, and he will be making a Statement as soon as possible. This will include overspill programmes.
§ THE LORD BISHOP OF SOUTHWARKMy Lords, while thanking the Minister for his reply, may I ask whether he would help us by indicating the size of the problem? I believe that in 1972 there were 190,000 applicants on the list. Is the noble Lord able to indicate the approximate number at this time, and to say whether it is more or less than that figure?
§ LORD GARNSWORTHYMy Lords, I think the approximate number of families on London waiting lists amounts to something like 200,000.
§ THE LORD BISHOP OF SOUTHWARKMy Lords, I thank the noble Lord for that information, which suggests that the problem is more serious than it was two years ago. Would he agree that, in addition to considering the overspill programmes, there should be an urgent inquiry into the relationships between the outer boroughs and the inner boroughs in London, in view of the fact that there seems to be a reluctance on the part of the outer boroughs to receive people from the inner boroughs?
§ LORD GARNSWORTHYMy Lords, the point the right reverend Prelate makes in the latter part of his supplementary question is well appreciated, but I will draw the attention of my right honourable friend to what he has said.