§ Mr. Sparksasked the Minister of Town and Country Planning if he is aware that the Greater London Plan imposes a ban on new housing development in many areas where the housing problem is most serious; that there is no immediate or adequate solution of the housing problem in such areas by the extension of towns and the development of satellite towns at considerable distances away; and if he will, where land is available in such areas, consider the modification of the plan so that the local authorities concerned may make an immediate contribution to the solution of their housing problem, by the provision of a limited number of dwellings for the most urgent cases which cannot brook prolonged delay.
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§ Mr. SilkinYes, Sir. I am aware that the Greater London Plan proposes the restriction of building development in certain areas. This Plan has not yet received final approval, and whilst I have asked local authorities, unless there are strong reasons for not doing so, to adhere to the principles of the Plan pending final conclusions upon it, I have, where immediately urgent housing requirements cannot be met in any other way, agreed to the erection of houses in contravention of the Plan where I have been satisfied that no fundamental object of the Plan would be seriously prejudiced.