§ Mr. Fisherasked the Minister of Local Government and Planning how many permanent houses have so far been completed in the Stevenage new town for new residents there, apart from those built to house the staff of the Stevenage Development Corporation.
§ Mr. DaltonFive, but 362 are now under construction.
§ Mr. Fisherasked the Minister of Local Government and Planning the total sum paid by way of salaries and wages to the staff of the Stevenage Development Corporation since its inception; and the total 132W expenditure on all outgoings and overheads so far incurred, including the costs of construction work.
§ Mr. DaltonThis information is given in the reports of the Corporation published as House of Commons Papers Nos. 113 and 236 of 1949 and 7 of 1950–51.
§ Mr. Fisherasked the Minister of Local Government and Planning (1) what steps he has taken to meet the objections raised by the Metropolitan Water Board and the Lea Conservancy Board with regard to the proposal arrangements for the disposal of sewage from the Stevenage new town;
(2) if the difficulties of drainage and sewerage for the Stevenage new town have now been overcome; and, if so, how, and at what estimated cost.
§ Mr. DaltonI am now studying the report of the recent inquiry into the Stevenage Development Corporation's proposals for sewage disposal and hope to be able to make an announcement shortly. The estimated cost of the proposals, which are designed for the benefit not only of Stevenage but of certain other districts in the area, is about£2 million, and these proposals include both the laying of a trunk sewer to the Harlow Corporation's intended new disposal works at Rye Meads, and the provision of additional treatment facilities there. The effluent from these works will be disposed of by soakage, and not by discharge into the River Lea, and the proposals are supported by the Metropolitan Water Board and the Lee Conservancy Board.