HC Deb 27 January 1981 vol 997 c394W
Sir Thomas Williams

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he has come to a decision on the future of Runcorn and Warrington development corporations.

Mr. Geoffrey Finsberg

After consulting the two development corporations and the local authorities concerned my right hon. Friend has decided to make an order under section 5(2) of the New Towns Act 1965 transferring on 1 April 1981 the functions of Runcorn development corporation to Warrington development corporation, which will then be renamed "Warrington and Runcorn development corporation". The two new towns will continue to develop separately, but in view of the stage the development of Runcorn has reached it is both sensible and economical to have a single development corporation, on which Runcorn interests will be properly represented.