§ Mr. Sparksasked the Minister of Town and Country Planning if he is aware that it is impossible on the basis of existing legislation and particularly its financial provisions, for local authorities in over industrialised areas to give effect to the decentralisation of industry proposed in the Greater London plan; and, as decentralisation of industry is the principal factor in securing decentralisation of population in such areas, if he will introduce legislation to enable the decentralisation of industry to be carried out.
§ Mr. SilkinI think it is premature to arrive at conclusions in the matters referred to until local authorities have actually used to the full the extensive powers now available to them. I shall, however, be glad to be informed specifically of any difficulties which such experience may show to exist. As my hon. Friend will be aware, I have set up a committee to consider how the recommendations of the Greater London Plan can best be implemented, and the question of decentralisation is one of the matters with which the committee will deal.