§ Mr. Allasonasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what proposals have been made for identifying land for possible housing development in the metropolitan green belt ; how this affects his green belt policy generally ; and whether he will make a statement.
§ Mr. RipponIn April, I asked the Standing Conference on London and South East Planning, representing the local planning authorities for the area, to seek some 2,000 acres out of the 610,000 acres of metropolitan green belt now to be increased to 700,000 acres which could, without detriment to the green belt policy, be made quickly available for housing. I await the result of its studies. My general policy is to108W extend and strengthen green belts. The release of small areas which are no longer contributing to green belt purposes will enable me to pursue even more vigorously the policy of preserving and extending effective areas of green belt.
§ Mr. Goodhewasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what proposals he has for extending green belts in England.
§ Mr. RipponAt present nearly 2,100 square miles of land in England has the status of approved green belt. A further 3,500 square miles either has been given interim protection or has been proposed by local planning authorities for inclusion in green belts. The total of approved green belt includes the addition of 170 square miles to the metropolitan green belt in Surrey on which my decision was given very recently. Further approvals will be announced soon.