HC Deb 03 May 1971 vol 816 cc273-4W
Dr. David Owen

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the cost in terms of Central Government grants and total public expenditure of London overspill schemes approved in 1971.

Mr. Graham Page

Two schemes only have been agreed so far this year—a new scheme for Hastings and a small additional one for Aylesbury. No precise calculations of grant payments can be made at this stage; but the total capital

sion to the Department of the Environment. Contracts have been exchanged for the sale of eight of these sites and four will remain with the Department until they are ripe for sale. In respect of the rest of the land it is not possible to give a date by which satisfactory offers will have been received.

expenditure involved in the public sector is estimated to be of the order of £27 million to £30 million.

Dr. David Owen

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the difference between the designated capacity to absorb London overspill, and the capacity already in use in all the town expansion schemes to accommodate London overspill, so far announced under the Town Development Act, 1952.

Mr. Graham Page

The total remaining capacity of schemes is estimated at roughly 45,000 dwellings.