§ 65. Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government whether he will state the number of applications for encroachment on to the green belt in the county of Essex and the number of building permissions which have been granted and refused, respectively, detailed according to local authority areas for the most convenient stated period of time during the past 20 years.
§ Mr. MacCollThe number of planning decisions affecting green belt land in Essex was 895 in 1962 and 907 in 1963, of which 524 and 491 respectively were allowed.
The number of decisions on applications for new building was 772 in 1962 and 778 in 1963, of which 465 and 408 respectively were allowed.
I regret that figures for other years and by local authorities are not available.
§ 66. Mr. George Jegerasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government whether he is aware of the need for clarification of his policy with regard to the preservation of the green belts; what specific proposals he has for their preservation; and whether he will make a statement.
§ Mr. CrossmanI have already made it known that I am not contemplating any basic change in green belt policy. I am satisfied that the existing machinery for protecting the green belts is adequate, and have no proposals for modifying it.
§ Mr. Fisherasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government whether it is his policy to preserve intact the Green Belt round London.
§ Mr. CrossmanIt is my policy to preserve the approved Metropolitan green belt. This is subject, of course, to the review which the local planning authorities are undertaking to see whether any land included within the approved belt is of no real green belt value and could help with London housing.