HC Deb 27 January 1971 vol 810 cc117-8W
53. Mr. Arthur Jones

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what estimates he has made of the rate of return on capital expended in new town development corporations; what criteria are applied to ensure the optimum use of public resources; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Channon

The rate of return will vary according to the type of expenditure and the stage of development that has been reached in a particular new town. As the New Towns Act provides, the criteria applied to different kinds of development depend on what is reasonable in all the circumstances. Far commercial and industrial development, new town corporations are expected to obtain the market rate of return.