HC Deb 18 March 1971 vol 813 cc389-90W
Mr. David Reed

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he is satisfied with the current arrangement whereby the new towns of Aycliffe and Peterlee are served by the same development corporation; whether he will grant them separate status when membership comes up for review; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Amery

Since 1963 the boards of the Aycliffe and Peterlee Development Corporations have had a membership in common, but the two new towns remain otherwise distinct. The arrangement has proved satisfactory.

The two towns remain as separate areas designated under the New Towns Act, 1946 and 1965, and the two corporations continue to act as separate bodies established by Orders under the Act of 1946. The question of granting separate status does not, therefore, arise.