§ Mr. Murtonasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government (1) what progress has been made in the release of additional land in the outer Metropolitan area to meet the Government's target of 35,000 extra houses a year; and how much additional land has so far been released since that target was set;
(2) how much land has been released, or been designated for release, for house building since he met representatives of the eight planning authorities of the outer Metropolitan area earlier this year and whether he will make a statement.
§ Mr. SkeffingtonThe aim is to release enough land to maintain a building rate of 35,000 houses a year over the next seven years compared with past rates of 28,000–30,000 houses a year.
A survey showed that about 13,000 acres were available for development over the next few years. This fell short of requirements by about 10,000–11,000 acres.
My right hon. Friend therefore asked the eight county planning authorities mainly concerned to let him have their proposals for releasing more land. Although they have suggested 5,000–6,000 more acres for development he would have liked to have seen still more land released earlier for development and he will be following this up with the authorities concerned.