HC Deb 29 October 1976 vol 918 cc411-2W
Mr. Craig

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if the "Matthew's Stop Line" for Belfast and the related proposals for accelerated growth and growth in selected centres is still part of Government policy in Northern Ireland.

Mr. Carter

While strategic policy must be, and has been, modified from time to time in the light of changing circumstances, it remains Government policy to concentrate growth in designated areas, and to maintain a prudent degree of physical control over the expansion of the built-up area of Belfast. The instrument for this control has been the Matthew Stop Line. Future policy envisages the continued containment of the Belfast urban area within this line except possibly at Poleglass; proposals for development there are now the subject of a public inquiry.