§ 85. Mr. W. Griffithsasked the Minister of Town and Country Planning, whether he is aware of the growing concern in the Manchester area at the delay in determining the suitability or otherwise of Mobberley as a site for a new town; and whether he will now state what site he is prepared to approve as suitable for development to provide a solution for the 36W urgent problem of housing in the city of Manchester.
§ Mr. SilkinAs already announced, I have decided in the light of the geological evidence about the risk of subsidence that it would be unwise to establish a new town in the vicinity of Mobberley Village. The Local Authorities concerned have been kept fully informed of the progress of the borings and of the other inquiries which have been necessary.
With regard to the second part of the Question, I expect to have a Report within the next few weeks on the practicability of a new town based on the Ollerton area, South-East of Knutsford. Possible sites elsewhere in Cheshire and also in Lancashire are being examined but inquiries have not yet reached the stage at which sites could he approved or rejected. I am anxious to reach an early settlement on the part which can be played by new towns in solving the housing problems of Manchester and the surrounding area, but I must point out that a new town or new towns cannot provide the whole solution. I am informed by my right hon. Friend, the Minister of Health that there are sufficient sites already available to occupy the building resources of the City Council for some time to come.