§ Mr. Cyril Smithasked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) if he will consider saving money by scrapping the Central Lancashire New Town; and if he decided so to do, how much would be saved in capital costs;
(2) if he will list the reasons for his policy in continuing to support the development of the Central Lancashire New Town.
§ Mr. Guy BarnettI cannot anticipate my right hon. Friend's decision on the Central Lancashire New Town Development Corporation's Outline Plan.
§ Mr. Cyril Smithasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the present population of the Central Lancashire New Town; what was the projected figure for population in 1976; when the scheme was first started: and what is the proposed population by 1980.
§ Mr. Guy BarnettAt the designation of CLNT in 1970 there were 236,0001196W people living within the designated area, which was expected to be sufficient to accommodate an eventual population of some 430,000; no figure was specified for growth by 1976. The present population is estimated to be 244,000. I cannot anticipate my right hon. Friend's decision on the Development Corporation's Outline Plan or any implication it may have for the new town's population in 1980.
§ Mr. Cyril Smithasked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many houses have been erected in the Central Lancashire New Town; and at what total capital cost.
§ Mr. Guy BarnettThe Development Corporation has completed 14 houses for rent and have 1,125 under construction. In addition, 104 private enterprise houses for sale have been completed on land made available by the corporation and 167 are under construction; housing associations have completed 76 flats and have 82 under construction. Details of the corporation's expenditure arc given in the accounts included in its annual reports, copies of which are in the Library.