§ 89. Mr. Hollisasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what grant has been promised to the Swindon Borough Council in support of their proposed town expansion; and under what conditions has that grant been offered.
§ Mr. H. MacmillanIf in the end Swindon as expanded by the efforts of the borough council on the scale and at the pace which the council at present envisage, the Government will contribute £264,000 to the estimated cost of the necessary water and sewerage schemes. The council were told this in order to enable them to determine whether to proceed with their scheme or not. I must make it clear, however, that there is as yet no decision that the council will carry out expansion.
I understand that the Wiltshire County Council, as planning authority, have given permission for substantial building development within the borough; but the question whether the borough council is to undertake the building must depend on the question whether they can get the necessary land. An order for the purchase of some land is before me at the moment, but no decision has been reached. A local inquiry is being held today. If it is decided—as it may be—that this order should not be confirmed, and no other suitable land can be made available for large-scale building, the whole expansion scheme may fall through. In that event the promise of contribution will fall through too.