§ Mr. Newensasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list those new towns in which he considers that development corporations have largely fulfilled their purposes and should be wound up; and if he will indicate the target date in each case.
§ Mr. ShoreI said on 5th April last year that most of the earlier new towns had largely fulfilled the purposes for which they were established and that, subject to the necessary consultations, it was my intention that the development corporations would be wound up within the next five years. The towns concerned were Basildon, Bracknell, Corby, Harlow, Red-ditch, Runcorn, Skelmersdale and Stevenage. In July I indicated a similar timetable for Aycliffe, Peterlee and Washington.
Informal consultations have now taken place in most of these towns, and I hope to be able to announce a programme of target dates for dissolution of these development corporations within the next few months.
809WThe formal consultations on each new town required by the New Towns Act with the district and county council concerned will take place nearer the proposed dissolution date.