Office Building (London Area)

HC Deb 30 May 1961 vol 641 cc1-2W

9. Mr. Jay

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs what steps Her Majesty's Government is taking to limit new office building in Greater London; and whether he will state the total of new office space in square feet built in the London and south-eastern region in 1958, 1959, and 1960.

Sir K. Joseph

This is mainly a central area rather than a Greater London problem. It is the policy of the local planning authorities and of the Government to check expansion in the central area by restricting the areas zoned for offices and the size to which offices can be built. Firms are also encouraged to move to new or expanding towns.

The London County Council estimates that, new office space built in the central area of the County of London in 1958, 1959 and 1960 was approximately 4,800,000 sq. feet, 5,500,000 sq. feet, and 5,400,000 sq. feet, respectively. I regret that no figures are available for other areas.