HC Deb 13 October 1975 vol 897 cc558-60W
Mr. Spearing

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment on what date Her Majesty's Government decided to review the strategic plan for the South-East; what steps he has taken to give non-official bodies notice of the review; and how many have so far communicated their views to him.

Mr. John Silkin

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Gravesend (Mr. Ovenden) on 11th November 1974.—[Vol. 881, c. 47–8]—A Press report was issued in relation to that statement notifying the public of the decision to update and further develop the Strategic Plan. I would also refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Southampton, Test (Mr. Gould) on 5th August 1975—[Vol. 897, c. 115]—in which I indicated my hope that it would be possible to produce an interim report early in 1976. The intention is to involve non-official bodies in discussion of the interim report before the final report is completed.

The final report itself is expected to be available in the middle of next year. It will be published and be open for public comment and debate prior to my right hon. Friend reaching conclusions upon its acceptance or modification. Members of the Standing Conference on London and South-East Regional Planning and the South-East Economic Planning Council have been associated with the progress of the work at both member and officer level. To date, two non-official bodies have made their views known to me.

Mr. Spearing

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the present approximate sum committed by the Government and local authorities to capital projects in new and expanded towns in South-East England for the next three years; and what estimate he can give of comparable investment from non public sources.

Mr. John Silkin

In the broadest of terms, the capital expenditure planned by central Government and local authorities in new towns in the South-East Economic Planning Region during the next three years is of the order of £250 million, of which over £50 million is already under contract. No comparable figures for expanding towns are available. The extent of committed investment by private enterprise in this period is not known, but on past evidence it may be expected to amount to about 20 per cent. of that in the public sector.

Mr. Spearing

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the direct or indirect benefits or inducements available for firms that are removing their activities to, or originating or extending in new and expanded towns in South-East England.

Mr. John Silkin

These towns can usually offer the benefit of fully serviced sites in planned areas of development and, in some of the towns, advance factory units and offices are available for letting. Good housing for the workforce within a short distance of job location can be offered and many towns can also offer room for future expansion and good communications, as well as other advantages to be found in a modern and properly planned environment.