§ 55. Mrs. Shirley Williamsasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government whether he is yet able to announce his decision on the expansion of Stevenage.
§ Mr. CrossmanMy decision is being published today. I have decided to accept the Inspector's recommendation not to proceed with the expansion of Stevenage to the west. Though I am, of course, very conscious of the need to provide housing for Londoners, I cannot accept that the contribution made by the proposed expansion would be sufficient to justify the disadvantages to Stevenage. I have also been influenced by the effect the expansion would have had on the surrounding country.