§ Lord EVANS of CLAUGHTONasked Her Majesty's Government:
How they reconcile their proposal to set up an urban development corporation to redevelop the South Docks area of Liverpool against the unanimous wishes of the Conservative-controlled Merseyside County Council with the statements of the present Secretary of State for the Environment 1490WA when in Opposition completely refuting similar proposals by the Labour Government.
§ The PARLIAMENTARY UNDERSECRETARY of STATE, DEPARTMENT of the ENVIRONMENT (Lord Bellwin)In deciding to proceed with legislation which will allow the establishment of an urban development corporation for Merseyside docklands the Government has, in the light of present circumstances, taken into account the best interests of the area, only part of which constitutes the South Docks. Great importance is attached to further consultation with local interests on the detail and in the operation of the UDC when it is set up. The reported opposition by Merseyside County Council will be carefully considered although it does not represent all the relevant opinion in this area.
House adjourned at three minutes past eight o'clock.