HL Deb 23 January 1990 vol 514 cc921-2

2.49 p.m.

Lord Dean of Beswick asked Her Majesty's Government:

Under what circumstances the present chairman of the Trafford Park Development Corporation will not continue in that post, and what are their future plans for the corporation.

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of the Environment (Lord Hesketh)

My Lords, the present chairman of the Trafford Park Development Corporation has expressed the wish not to be re-appointed when his contract expires on 9th February. A new chairman will be appointed as soon as possible. The corporation will continue to build on the foundations which have already been laid for the successful regeneration of the area.

Lord Dean of Beswick

My Lords, is the Minister aware that I was told before we rose for the Christmas Recess that the chairman of the Trafford Development Corporation was to be replaced? Does the Minister also recall that two years ago I challenged the wisdom of the Government appointing the same person to chair two large-scale quangos in the same area? Is it not a fact that too much responsibility has been loaded on to one person? We were led to believe that the plans for that area would generate 20,000 to 30,000 jobs in what was the largest manufacturing area in the United Kingdom. Is that still the Government's objective and when will some action be taken?

Lord Hesketh

My Lords, I am sure that the noble Lord, Lord Dean of Beswick, is well aware that the Government's commitment is to success. I am also sure that the noble Lord knows that the Government are extremely grateful to Mr. Peter Hadfield for his contribution both to the Trafford Park Development Corporation and to the Greater Manchester Residuary Body. I can only add to that by pointing out to your Lordships' House that some 2 million square feet of commercial and industrial development is either completed or under construction and has already attracted a further £200 million of private sector investment into the area.

Lord Dean of Beswick

My Lords, perhaps I may press the Minister. I refer specifically to jobs in the manufacturing industry, not floor space that may become warehouses. Are the Government committed to the area once again becoming a major area of manufacturing, bearing in mind that last month we lost 45,000 more jobs in the manufacturing sector in Great Britain?

Lord Hesketh

My Lords, from the latter part of the supplementary question from the noble Lord, Lord Dean, I think it is fair to say that he is drawing an extension to the argument placed in the first Question. The fact is that what we have to provide at Trafford Park are jobs that are required for the successful future of this country within Europe and the world. We cannot define in advance the types of jobs they will be.

Lord McIntosh of Haringey

My Lords, in view of the fact that this House, like another place, spent many hours considering the economic development powers to be given to local councils in the Local Government and Housing Act 1989, will the Government now announce measures to extend the resources available to them? Will the Government now recognise that the role, however valuable it may have been in limited areas of the urban development corporations, might with advantage be taken over by local authorities?

Lord Hesketh

My Lords, as always, I am very excited that the noble Lord, Lord McIntosh, feels that I am able to make radical changes to government policy on the hoof. However, I can assure him that we believe the UDCs have been a great success and that the recent Bill which has now become an Act will also assist in providing opportunity for local authorities to increase their successful contribution.

Lord Mellish

My Lords, is the Minister aware that the London Development Corporation took over from local authorities and yet, in the 15 years it has had to manipulate the area it controls, it has not even built a toilet?

Lord Hesketh

My Lords, I have to confess to the noble Lord, Lord Mellish, that I was unaware of that specific point.