HC Deb 29 July 1949 vol 467 cc185-6W
Mr. Bossom

asked the Minister of Town and Country Planning how many new houses, other than those prefabricated houses built for building trade operatives employed to do the work on the site, have so far been built in the new town at Stevenage; and how many more are in the course of construction.

Mr. Silkin

Though the answer to both parts of the Question is "None," the Corporation have submitted for my approval a proposal for the site development of the first large housing area in the new town. I understand, moreover, that a proposal for the erection of over 200 flats within this area will reach me shortly.

Mr. Bossom

asked the Minister of Town and Country Planning what is the total amount which has so far been spent for all purposes on the new town at Stevenage, up to the most recent period for which these figures are available.

Mr. Silkin

The expenditure of the Stevenage Development Corporation for the period to 31st March, 1948, is set out in the Paper (H.C.146) containing the accounts, and also in the Paper (H.C.113) containing a report of the operations of the Corporation up to that date, which under the provisions of the New Towns Act, 1946, must be prepared by the Corporation and laid before Parliament. Accounts for subsequent financial years will be published in due course and information about the total amount of the expenditure to date is not in my possession. The total amount issued to date to the Corporation to defray expenditure on capital and revenue account is £325,307.

Mr. Bossom

asked the Minister of Town and Country Planning when the social organiser was engaged for the new town at Stevenage; for how long he has been receiving a salary; and how many people there are on this property for him to organise, other than those engaged on construction.

Mr. Silkin

The answer to the first two parts of the hon. Member's Question is 18th August, 1947: the duties of the Social Development Officer do not include organising people; he is responsible for the Corporation's public relations work and for their social research work which in view of the nature, magnitude, and complexity of their task is necessarily continuous and substantial.