§ Mr. Newensasked the Secretary of State for the Enviromnent when he expects to provide a full answer to the two questions tabled by the hon. Member for Harlow on his powers and those of new town development corporations and the Commission for the New Towns to sell off new town assets, which he was unable to answer on 1 April.
§ Mr. HeseltineI have provided answers today.
§ Mr. Newensasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what powers he has to require new town development corporations and the Commission for the New Towns to sell off their assets; and, if so, for what purposes.
§ Mr. Heseltine[pursuant to his reply, 1 April 1980]: I have no such powers. Clauses 101 and 102 of the Local Government, Planning and Land (No. 2) Bill would, however, give me power to direct development corporations and the Commission for the New Towns to realise assets.
§ Mr. Newensasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if his request to new town development corporations and the Commission for the New Towns to sell off assets leave the decision to sell or not to sell entirely in their hands; and if he will list those powers which they have to sell other than for securing the development of their towns.
§ Mr. Heseltine[pursuant to his reply, 1 April 1980]: The Government have made clear to the new town corporations their wish that the corporations should 339W so exercise their statutory powers of disposal as to reduce the public sector borrowing requirement. The statutory provisions governing the powers of sale of new town development corporations are set out in sections 3(2) and 18(1) of the New Towns Act 1965. The powers of sale of the Commission for the New Towns are in section 36 of the same Act. Development corporations and the commission are responsible for ensuring that their actions, including the sale of assets are within their statutory powers.