§ Mr. Mellishasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what discussions he has held with the Greater London Council and certain London borough councils on the machinery for co-ordinating the redevelopment of the dockland area of East London ; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. RipponI have had two meetings with representatives of the Greater London Council and the London boroughs of Tower Hamlets, Newham, Southwark, Greenwich and Lewisham to discuss the machinery for securing the best redevelopment of this area. There have been other discussions between officials.
At a meeting on 26th November 1 welcomed the local authorities' proposal to set up a joint committee in the New Year. While I believe there may indeed be a future need for some other form of statutory long-term machinery, a joint committee offers the best immediate prospect of co-ordinated action in preparing an overall plan and acquiring land for development, thus alleviating uncertainty about future planning and, accordingly, checking undesirable land speculation. It was agreed that I would put proposals to the local authorities about the co-option of non-local authority members of suitable experience to the committee and that the local authorities should consult me about the election of a chairman.
I intend to hold further talks with the local authorities on the future operation of the committee and on the issue of long-term machinery. I also hope to pursue discussions with right hon. and hon. Gentlemen whose constituencies include parts of this area.