§ Mr. R. Morganasked the Minister of Health whether he is aware of the proposal of the Altrincham Corporation to evolve a new town planning scheme during the war; and whether he will consider recommending the postponement in all cases of any such action on the grounds that, in his circular No. 1872, dated 19th October, 1939, he indicated that there would be a postponement of town planning schemes, that the result of damage by air-raids may necessitate a revision of the scheme as at present planned, and, that in view of the absence from the district of many owners of property and others interested on war service, an opportunity is not afforded them to consider carefully any such proposals?
Mr. M. MacDonaldI am informed that the Altrincham Town Council have a planning scheme in preparation, but it has not yet been submitted to me for approval. If a scheme were submitted I could not contemplate in existing circumstances holding a local inquiry or taking any other formal action with a view to its approval. As regards the last part of the Question the considerations to which my hon. Friend refers are being borne in mind in the administration of town and country planning at the present time. I am drawing the attention of the town council to this Question and answer.