HC Deb 07 March 1960 vol 619 cc14-5W
Lord Balniel

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs the plans of the Welwyn Garden City and Hatfield New Town Development Corporations for introducing new industry into each of the towns during the next three years; and what estimate has been made of the increased employment that will be provided.

Mr. H. Brooke

The Corporations have no proposals for introducing new industry into either town, except for one small firm expected at Welwyn Garden City. Some expansion of industry already in the towns is not ruled out.

Lord Balniel

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs how much new industrial building has been provided within the designated areas of Hatfield and Welwyn Garden City new towns, respectively, during the past five years.

Mr. H. Brooke

At Welwyn Garden City about 1,400,000 square feet and at Hatfield about 150,000 square feet.

Lord Balniel

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs the size of the waiting list for houses in Welwyn Garden City and in Hatfield new towns; and the average time an applicant has to wait before being housed.

Mr. H. Brooke

The waiting list at Welwyn Garden City is 680, and people now being housed have been on the list about two-and-a-half years. At Hatfield. the waiting list is 560, and the average waiting period for people now being housed is about twelve months.

Lord Balniel

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs what plans have been made by the Welwyn Garden City and Hatfield New Town Development Corporations for the provision of houses for sale in each of the new towns during each of the next three years; and how many applications for such houses have been made in each town.

Mr. H. Brooke

The Corporation has plans at present to build 269 houses for sale at Welwyn Garden City. About half of these are expected to be completed within eighteen months. The Corporation has 400 outstanding inquiries from people wishing to buy a house.

At Hatfield, fifty-seven houses for sale are about to be started. Ninety inquiries have been received from people interested in buying these. The Corporation is considering building a further 200 houses for sale.