HC Deb 03 March 1970 vol 797 cc57-8W
56. Mr. Newens

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he will make a statement on the expansion of first generation new towns.

Mr. Denis Howell

The seven first generation new towns which have not been transferred to the Commission for New Towns have all been expanded, whether by designating more land or by replanning to provide for a larger population than was originally envisaged. Taking them together, the acreage designated is now 20 per cent. greater and the population planned for about 70 per cent. greater than when the original designation orders were made.

62. Mr. Oakes

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government how many development corporation rented dwellings in the 11 first-generation new towns in England were available for purchase by tenants at the end of March, 1969, and at the end of January, 1970, respectively.

Mr. Denis Howell

At the end of March, 1969, about 22,500 corporation rented houses were available for purchase by tenants. By the end of January this year the figure had risen to some 59,000, representing just over half the corporation rented stock in the towns concerned.