§ 54. Mr. Francis Noel-Bakerasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he will now make a statement on the proposals to expand Swindon.
§ Mr. CrossmanThe report by Llewelyn-Davies, Weeks and Partners on major urban development in the New-bury/Swindon/Didcot area is published today. This report, which was commissioned by my Department, the Berkshire and Wiltshire County Councils and Swindon Borough Council, does not commit any of the commissioning authorities. Its main recommendation is that planned development should take place on a very substantial scale in the Swindon area to absorb an increased population of 125,000 by 1981. Other recommendations include development on a smaller scale elsewhere in the study area and the urgent need to protect the areas of high landscape value. I am seeking the views of the commissioning authorities and the South West Economic Planning Council on the report's conclusions and recommendations.