§ Sir G. de Freitasasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is his policy in relation to the recommendation of the East Midlands Economic Planning Council that the New Town of Corby, Northamptonshire, should be allowed to encourage the development of new industries so that the town may reach its planned population target of approximately 70,000, even if this is at the expense of development of new industries in other new and expanding towns in Northamptonshire; and whether he will make a statement.
§ Mr. AmeryI have only recently received the recommendations of the East 111W Midlands Economic Planning Council. I shall be carefully considering them, and I will write to the right hon. and learned Member.
It is the Government's view that. in seeking industrial growth and diversification, Corby should concentrate on the expansion of firms already in the town, on East Midlands firms with strong ties to the area, and on London firms which cannot reasonably make a long-distance move to the assisted areas.
As a new town Corby already receives special consideration, along with other new and expanding towns, with regard to the location of industry. Against this background continued development of the town beyond its present population need not be at the expense of other new and expanding towns in the vicinity.
In my statement on 12th October on the Strategic Plan for the South-East, I gave the Government's endorsement of Milton Keynes—Northampton—Wellingborough as a major growth area.